America and Communism

[Baradiel]

Note: I searched for this, but it seems to be an unused topic.

I've been wondering about this for a while. I'm studying History A level, and one quarter of the subject is on 1860-1950 Russia. Next year it will be on the Cold War.

I'd say I know an average amount about America and Communism, and I know about McCarthyism and the like.

I live in the UK. I've never even visited America. I know a few Americans and have chatted online via Live and Steam.

What I want to know is: is there still the mentality of fear and hostility towards Communist/Socialist/Non-Capitalist countries? Is the idea of the American Dream still going strong?

I know that this probably won't get a balanced, objective result, but I'm curious.

 

[FactualSquirrel]

Well I'm not American, and I dislike socialism, communism and the like.

I think that you'll find people who fear it from everywhere in the world.

 

[Spacewolf]

most likly because they dont understand the underlying intentions of communism and rather link it to stalin and other ditators that have used communism as a cover

 

[MellowFellow]

Fox News hates socialism and Communism, but I don't think all of us in the US fear Communism or Socialism. I don't know about the American Dream part though, I think people like to believe in it, although it is a very abstract thing.

 

[reg42]

I'm not American, but where I live the was also a great fear of communism (the government banned TV because they thought communism would corrupt us through it) and today there isn't any fear of it what so ever. Grumpy old men still hate it though.

 

[Woodsey]

From what I understand, the country is still very much "in fear" of Communism. Unsurprising given how right-wing much of the country is - even many of their Democrats lean much more to the right then what we'd consider them to here in the UK.

 

[McGee]

Good God yes there is. It's a real problem too. Ever heard of the tea party/teabaggers? They're a real pain in the ass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbc064Uwax4

 

[Chester41585]

The problem with socialism and communism is that they never really work. Eastern Europe and Russia are good examples of this. And the way the United States government was initially set up pretty much prevents socialism or communism from taking root in the United States as an official way of life.

 

[Radeonx]

Not as much as in the 70's and 80's where everyone and their dog was afraid of Russia and a nuclear war.
Now it's just a lesser amount of people.

 

[Daemascus]

Because as long as humans are involed communism will never work.
The US goverment has checks and balances and built in self correction.

 

[Klarinette]

I think a lot of people have either missed or ignored the intentions of Communism, and link it to people like Stalin.

most likly because they dont understand the underlying intentions of communism and rather link it to stalin and other ditators that have used communism as a cover

Shit, this! Except you said it better than I did.

 

[Free Thinker]

Communism had good intentions but has yet to be carried out successfully. Some asshat has always ruined the experiment. But America was founded on capitalism and so it should stay. Greed, while abominable to some, actually works in a system. Capitalism includes competition and rewards those with knowledge and experience. Communism removes these aspects which in my opinion, is detrimental to human evolution. Due to the huge increase in political D-bags and crazies in America, any change would be rather unstable.

 

[silver wolf009]

The odd thing is that during the industrial revolution, america was proably the prime candinate for a communism revolution and russia was last on the list.

 

[manythings]

Have you not noticed the foaming masses deranged about the idea of a National health organisation in america because it is too socialist? It is important to note that Communism should be despised since a system where everyone owns everything means no one owns anything. (Oh wait there's still a national leader, societal ranks and pecking orders, hmm...)

 

[Proteus214]

The stigma of "Communism is Bad!" still exists in the US. It's just left over anti-USSR propaganda that an entire generation grew up hearing. We literally have an entire generation and a half that grew up learning Communism = evil. I like to think that most of the US is mature enough to realize that a communist isn't necessarily an enemy of the United States, but the Tea Party proves me wrong over and over...

 

[SilverUchiha]

Most people who can think things through logically just know that Communism is a flawed concept. I wouldn't say fear. I'd say maybe dislike (bordering on hatred) but fear would probably be the wrong word to use. To me, Communism, Socialism, and anything similar is just stupid.

 

[Baron Von Evil Satan]

America dislikes communism (to this day in fact, even though we get pretty much everything from China we are on sketchy terms with them) because it's such a repressive system. That, and I personally don't believe in communism because it will never be achieved. It's one of those things that is literally impossible.

 

[Strykz]

What I want to know is: is there still the mentality of fear and hostility towards Communist/Socialist/Non-Capitalist countries? Is the idea of the American Dream still going strong?

Oh yes. Especially the first part. Of course it is not what it was but there are still ignorant masses.

 

[benoitowns]

Well unless communism is through a non governmental free association, I think socialism and communism is retarded. But I dont think I well represent America, the socialist dunghole it now is, so whatever.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Pretty sure most people understand the intention of communism, and understand just as well how corrupt it can get. Sure, demo-capitalism is subject to corruption, but its never gotten as bad as communism (See China and USSR).