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Sense of Superiority. Socialism to save mankindSuperior to capitalism in two wayseconomic superioritythe more importantmoral superiority. Economic Superiority. Productive relations of socialism superioranarchy of markets causes gross errors in resource allocation, including unemploymentavoided
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1. Ideology
2. Sense of Superiority Socialism to save mankind
Superior to capitalism in two ways
economic superiority
the more important
moral superiority
3. Economic Superiority Productive relations of socialism superior
anarchy of markets causes gross errors in resource allocation, including unemployment
avoided through planning
avoids crisis of overproduction (socialist term for recession)
achieves faster diffusion of technology as it avoids having to create artificial rights to intellectual property
avoids waste of advertising
avoids waste from constantly reallocating resources in response to fickle consumer preferences
4. freed from capitalist exploitation, workers more enthusiastic and need less supervision
this socialist enthusiasm for work increases until there is no longer a need for any kind of supervision or material motivation
then no longer a need for the state which withers away as society makes transition to communism
Economic superiority so great that, after initial sacrifices needed to get over the initial economic losses from conflict of revolution and to get past other initial disadvantages of underdevelopment, economic development will fairly quickly surpass capitalist economies
5. This sense of economic superiority sows seeds of destruction
as time passes and capitalist economies continue to widen gap, doubt begins to set in
when Party officials begin to argue that certain elements of the capitalist system should be incorporated to make socialism more efficient, the breakdown of classical socialism is underway
6. Moral Superiority Nobler system
greater economic equality
greater social justice
individuals overcome their selfish individuality and work for the common cause
Ches New Man
Socialism not just a means to achieve moral ends
socialism itself is a moral end, a thing of social value
the achievement and maintenance of socialism is a moral victory
7. The Basic Promises of Socialism Basic promises to look forward to achieving in relative short term
within a couple decades
requires initial sacrifice and hard work
dividends will soon start to come in because of socialisms intrinsic superiority
To catch up with most highly developed capitalist countries
8. To provide all the basic needs in exchange for the peoples hard work
Housing
free or token rent
Basic food at highly subsidized prices
Health care
Education
Child care
Vacations
Culture
Relatively impressive achievements in some areas
jobs
but worker morale often very bad
education
Castros literacy campaign
education tended to be highly inflexible
9. Some promises were not kept
the worst case was closing the gap with capitalism
housing in extremely short supply
waiting list frequently fifteen years long
housing quality very poor
Inability to fulfill initial promises, especially in regard to closing the gap, creates tremendous tension and doubt
especially a problem in East Germany due to close proximity to West Germany
10. State Paternalism Working class supposedly in power but not directly
Represented by the Party
Party decides what is in best interests of the workers and society
Not a question of responding to the workers interests
The Party is in the vanguard of the working class
its role is to lead, not to be led
11. Anyone who opposes the Party or the Partys decisions is, by definition, an enemy of the working class
The Party enjoys its legitimacy because it won the Revolution and destroyed the enemies of the people
Does not gain legitimacy at the mere whim of the people who are not in a position to determine what is best for society
the people can not be trusted to look beyond their immediate self-interests
legitimacy does not spring from the support of the people as expressed at the ballot
legitimacy comes from the exercise of scientific socialism by the leadership
12. the role of the people is to work
the role of the state and Party is to provide all the peoples needs
Maintenance of such a paternal order requires discipline, willing sacrifice, and vigilance
13. Discipline Discipline expected from all citizens
especially Party members
Discipline means following orders without questions and formulating orders along Party lines
originality is very dangerous
individualism and independence are despised
14. Primary characteristics of a successful Party member
political reliability
loyalty
fidelity to Party ideology
Secondary characteristics
talent
professional expertise
experience
No amount of the latter can make up for lack of the former, but lack of talent or expertise will not necessarily stop a successful career
Sources of the importance of discipline
revolutionary origins
nature of bureaucracy
15. Willing Sacrifice Individuals expected to sacrifice own interests for interests of the state
as defined for them by the Party
Must be willing to sacrifice improvements in material well-being
Must be willing to subordinate family life to state interests
state takes over much of the role of family
youth organizations
16. Vigilance Society on a war footing
Enemies of the people are everywhere
internal enemies
counter-revolutionaries
external enemies
capitalist imperialists
state must be vigilant against outside enemies
self-imposed isolation from corrupting influence of capitalist world
plenty of outsiders willing to support downfall of socialism
people must be vigilant against the internal enemies among them
CDR