The nature of the 'communist' states

international | the left | feature Wednesday June 28, 2006 00:30 by Wayne Price - NEFAC

An anarchist analysis of the Soviet Union

The most important reason for studying the nature of the Soviet Union and similar states is the light it sheds on what we mean by anti-capitalism and socialism. . Whether we regard these states as socialist determines what we think is the alternative to capitalism. There are a great many radicals who are attracted to the model of the old Soviet Union or of Maoist China, who are impressed by Cuba today or by the Nepalese Maoists. Conversely, the establishments of Western capitalism have been glad to agree that the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, etc. are/were “socialist” and “communist.” They say, capitalism may have faults, but this is the only “anti-capitalist” alternative which ever was or ever could be.

These three essays published on Anarkismo over the last three months by Wayne Price look at the true nature of these states.

Part 1 What Do We Mean By Anti-Capitalism?

Part 2 The Bureaucratic Ruling Class vs. Democratic Self-Management

Part 3 State Capitalism vs. Libertarian Socialism
The most important reason for studying the nature of the Soviet Union and similar states is the light it sheds on what we mean by anti-capitalism and socialism. . Whether we regard these states as socialist determines what we think is the alternative to capitalism. There are a great many radicals who are attracted to the model of the old Soviet Union or of Maoist China, who are impressed by Cuba today or by the Nepalese Maoists. Conversely, the establishments of Western capitalism have been glad to agree that the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, etc. are/were “socialist” and “communist.” They say, capitalism may have faults, but this is the only “anti-capitalist” alternative which ever was or ever could be.

These three essays published on Anarkismo over the last three months by Wayne Price look at the true nature of these states.

Part 1 What Do We Mean By Anti-Capitalism?
If anti-capitalists want an alternative to capitalism, we need to examine the nature of countries of the type of the Soviet Union. There are three groups of theories about them. One is the idea that these societies are socialist or “workers’ states.” This will be compared with the original libertarian goals of classless socialism. - http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=2925

Part 2 The Bureaucratic Ruling Class vs. Democratic Self-Management
This part goes over the theories that Communist Party-ruled societies are neither pro-socialist nor capitalist but are a new kind of class society. These theories are correct in believing that the collective bureaucracy is a new ruling class but wrong in denying that these societies are a variety of capitalism. They raised questions about the nature of Fascism. Such theories bring out the need for participatory democracy and workers’ self-management. - http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=3063

Part 3 State Capitalism vs. Libertarian Socialism
The Soviet Union and similar states are analyzed as State Capitalist. These states had commodity production, the exploitation of the workers, and internal competition. It is not enough to collectivize property; it is necessary to abolish the capital-labor relationship. The program of state socialism invariably produces state capitalism in practice. - http://www.anarkismo.net/newswire.php?story_id=3304