Dear Editor,

It is inconceivable that many intellectuals are still clinging tenaciously to the notion that communism-cum-Marxism, is a viable alternative to capitalism. It should be understood that empirical evidence has shown that in spite of its many shortcomings, capitalism is definitely more enduring than its counterpart, communism/Marxism. The precipitous collapse of communism in the Soviet Union is a good example of the tenuous framework of communism.

It is well known that communism is based on the Marxist theory that advocates a classless, egalitarian society in which property and the means of production are owned collectively. Thus, the concept of individualism is non-existent. However, the notion of a classless, egalitarian society is a hollow theoretical construct that was never practised by its foremost proponent, the USSR.

In the Soviet Union, communism meant totalitarianism, in which the state owned and controlled property and the means of production. The idea of a classless, egalitarian society was always an illusion. It is well known that the Communist Party was the ruling class that dominated the proletarian or working class.

Many intellectuals are led to believe that what happened in the Soviet Union was a perversion of Marxism, and that Marxism in its pure form is still a viable alternative to capitalism. But these intellectuals fail to realise that the concept of Marxism is flawed and impractical. They fail to realise that human beings are basically individualistic. Therefore, they cannot be herded like horses or cattle into a collective corral.

It should be noted that individualism can be repressed, but it cannot be crushed into a state of oblivion. Sooner or later, it will start to emerge and take root.

It is that yearning for individualism that finally brought about the demise of communism in the USSR and it is my firm opinion that the potency of individualism will finally burst forth in other communist countries such as China and Cuba. As a matter of fact, these totalitarian states have started to acknowledge the inevitability of the capitalist creed. A vibrant capitalist class has started to emerge in China, and the Cuban state is now allowing individuals to buy and sell in a capitalist style marketplace.

It is only a matter of time before the rising capitalist class in these countries demand their rightful place in the Government.

It is true that in recent years capitalism has become somewhat of a dirty word with sinister connotations. And it is also true that with the demise of communism in the USSR, capitalism has been linked with sheer greed, exploitation, and insatiable profiteering. Nevertheless, with proper governmental regulations, the dark side of capitalism can dissipate significantly.

Even with all its flaws, it is still a viable free enterprise system in which the individual has the freedom to invest, innovate, and take chances in the marketplace. And there is no doubt that innovation and risk-taking have benefitted human beings over the years.

If former Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill were alive today, instead of making his profound comment about democracy, he would have focussed his remark on capitalism by saying: “Indeed, it has been said that [capitalism] is the worst form of [economic system], except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Rupert Johnson

r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca

Toronto, Ontario