I really wonder why not all non-rich people are communists, as they would likely see their own condition improved in such a society. I suppose the possible reasons could be:

  1. They don't understand how the current system exploit us
  2. They don't know communism or misunderstand it
  3. They fear changing the current system for the “unknown”
  4. They think it can't work
  5. They are not interested in politics at all
  6. They think that one day they will be rich too
  7. They are too busy being fascist
  8. Something else

I know it's probably a mix of all of these, but in what proportions exactly? What are the most common reasons?

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[–] 16 points 1 week ago* (6 children)

its all those reasons but there is 1 underlying reason behind them all. The Bourgeoisie control the intellectual and cultural means of reproduction. They own the churches and the schools and the media and they use them to create an intellectual and cultural environment that supports their continued rule.

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 6 days ago (5 children)

    OK, but what makes propaganda so effective? Is it because people lack critical thinking, or knowledge about capitalism/imperialism/communism?

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  • [–] 6 points 6 days ago* (3 children)

    People only get a tenth or eleventh grade reading level education, on average. But everyone is required to navigate a world ruled by those with the means to pay the most highly educated to engineer extremely complex rules designed to protect their interests -- mostly property and power.

    Propaganda lives in the space between what most people can understand and how the world actually works. People are desperate to obtain an understanding of the world that gives them an advantage over others, or at least just enough to survive and avoid destitution.

    They will grasp at anything that promises to help them individually outcompete the collective masses.

    It isn't just that people aren't trained to avoid being deceived. They are actively willing to be deceived if they think it will help them specifically. The lure of secret insider knowledge is strong.

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)

    It would make sense if, thanks to this propaganda, people actually enjoyed good living conditions. But when they barely have enough to survive—even in Western countries—how could they not question the system and realize that capitalism is total crap?

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  • [–] 4 points 6 days ago*

    Propagandizers tell them that they are just not doing the secret magic tricks good enough.

    Most businesses in the United States fail. Doesn't stop people from thinking that business running is the way to become wealthy.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 days ago

    Thing is eventually they do.

    The average American for example is probably highly skeptical/cynical about their system; they just lack the language and information to understand & express their problems with it and largely have to figure it out on their own.

    At best this can produce social democrats, maybe even anarchists or left communists, but principled Marxists require much more.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 days ago

    Yes. It is because Knowledge about capitalism, imperialism and communism is gate kept. Not only does the indoctrination system tell you lies about capitalism and communism the cultural sphere demonizes anyone who tells the truth if it doesn't kill them outright.

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