I'm actually pleasantly surprised communism is pretty accurately described there as common ownership with a 'to each according to their need' type model. You know, instead of what we normally get which is "big government dictator owns everything and makes rock music illegal and no food lmao."
It's goofy yeah, but I mean look at what Cyberpunk 2020 or any other RPG book has to say about the topic
they're only saying that because they already said it doesn't work in the real world (i.e. it just ends up being “big government dictator owns everything and makes rock music illegal and no food lmao.").
I feel like it's still quite rare to see a modern argument against communism that also pins down the basic features of it, especially in something like an RPG rulebook
Most arguments would say it both doesn't work and it's when the government does stuff, so that makes this particular take like what, 50% better than average?
from my faintest childhood memories, I believe the Cyberpunk 2020 rulebook describes communism as simply a more intense type of police state and that's the furthest it gets into the subject. I have the book somewhere in a closet if anyone's actually interested. Would make a nice contrast with what the OP posted.
I agree. Particularly in 2004, when "America Wins, Fuck You" is this prevailing western narrative, Cuba is still struggling to survive without the USSR, and the Pacific Economic Crisis has set back Vietnam and China substantively, it certainly doesn't look like Communism is Inevitable. Quite the opposite.
But these authors decided to include it speculatively anyway. When it has never been more difficult to conceive of a world without capitalism, we're being introduced to the idea of potlatch and resiprosity as an economic basis.
I'm actually pleasantly surprised communism is pretty accurately described there as common ownership with a 'to each according to their need' type model. You know, instead of what we normally get which is "big government dictator owns everything and makes rock music illegal and no food lmao."
It's goofy yeah, but I mean look at what Cyberpunk 2020 or any other RPG book has to say about the topic
they're only saying that because they already said it doesn't work in the real world (i.e. it just ends up being “big government dictator owns everything and makes rock music illegal and no food lmao.").
I feel like it's still quite rare to see a modern argument against communism that also pins down the basic features of it, especially in something like an RPG rulebook
Most arguments would say it both doesn't work and it's when the government does stuff, so that makes this particular take like what, 50% better than average?
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from my faintest childhood memories, I believe the Cyberpunk 2020 rulebook describes communism as simply a more intense type of police state and that's the furthest it gets into the subject. I have the book somewhere in a closet if anyone's actually interested. Would make a nice contrast with what the OP posted.
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I agree. Particularly in 2004, when "America Wins, Fuck You" is this prevailing western narrative, Cuba is still struggling to survive without the USSR, and the Pacific Economic Crisis has set back Vietnam and China substantively, it certainly doesn't look like Communism is Inevitable. Quite the opposite.
But these authors decided to include it speculatively anyway. When it has never been more difficult to conceive of a world without capitalism, we're being introduced to the idea of potlatch and resiprosity as an economic basis.