• @Ruxias@lemmy.world
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    11 year ago

    That might be the stated intent, but it seems plain that once the leaders are in positions of power and authority, they abuse their power. This is why, as fallible as is democracy, it is superior.

    Do you think that socialism/communism is not a democratic system?

    • JasSmith
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      11 year ago

      Under communism, no. Marx explicitly prescribed violent revolution to overthrow democracy. He prescribes implementing democracy after the glorious revolution, but previous attempts never progressed to that point. Communism is authoritarian in nature, as it seeks to disempower the individual and strip them of their property rights, in favour of the collective.

      As for socialism, it depends what you mean. Democratic socialism, which is what Western countries practise, is democratic. Socialism is:

      a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

      This is incompatible with democracy. Democracy requires rule of law and property rights as a foundation. Stripping people of their property rights is authoritarian. It cannot be maintained under a democracy as individuals in the West would vote for their liberty, as they do today. This necessitates authoritarian control.