>Can the Marxist vision of Communism ever be realised?
>Is there ever going to be a time and place where Communism can truly succeed in the basic form outlined by Marx and Engels? There have been many ‘experiments’ along the communist model (Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, Vietnam). However, these have tended to rebrand Communism in their own formula to suit their specific needs. My girlfriend has told me that according to George Orwell’s book Animal Farm (which I have so far embarrassingly failed to read), human nature dictates that our greed and desire for increased wealth and prosperity ensures that pure communism is just a dream. However, is this just the opinion of Orwell or can Communism never be truly realised?
Battison's Blog 
>Some aspects of Marxism have already been incorporated into Capitalism. Social Democracies are a mixture of Capitalism and Communism. Neither still exist in their extreme forms.But can Marxism in its' original sense be realised? No. George Orwell's assessment of our psycholgy is only one inherent weakness within Marx's ideas. See my article on the Politics page.
>Well, as it has been pointed out to me by our industrious leader, I have failed to answer my own questions – apologies for my severe tardiness. With respect to the question I posed I have to agree with Rob, George Orwell et al. (what illustrious company you keep Rob!) – but perhaps not for entirely the same reason, although their points are totally valid. As far as I see it, in all the "Communist experiments" that I can think of there has been compromise with the ideal envisaged by Marx and Engels. Despite Communist leaders having an overt desire to strictly adhere to the Communist ideology within a few weeks/months of taking power they all compromise to their own form of Communism (Leninism, Maoism, Stalinism) none of which you could argue is true Communism (although they do have Communist elements). They do this as far as I can see because 1) they become power-mad and 2) because the realise that they could never hold onto power with a true Communist ideology. I think the most inherent weakness of Communism however, is as Trotsky realised, for Communism to really exist their needs to be global socialism which is a concept that will never happen (can you see the conservative, religious right in America allowing that – can you see the conservative, religious right in any Muslim countries allowing it for that matter).I like the idea of everyone being equal, and I feel that there is far too much inequality in the world – it sickens me the pure greed of some people. However, I do not believe that Marxism or any similar ideology can truly be realised. (Hope your happy now Rob)
>Well, as it has been pointed out to me by our industrious leader, I have failed to answer my own questions – apologies for my severe tardiness. With respect to the question I posed I have to agree with Rob, George Orwell et al. (what illustrious company you keep Rob!) In all the "Communist experiments" that I can think of there has been compromise with the ideal envisaged by Marx and Engels. Despite communist leaders having an overt desire to strictly adhere to the Communist Party line within a few weeks/months of taking power they all compromise to their own form of Communism (Leninism, Maoism, Stalinism) none of which you could argue is true communism (although they do have communist elements). I think the most inherent weakness of Communism however, is as Trotsky realised, for Communism to really exist their needs to be global socialism which is a concept that will never happen (can you see the conservative, religious right in America allowing that – can you see the conservative, religious right in any Muslim countries allowing it for that matter).I like the idea of everyone being equal, and I feel that there is far too much inequality in the world – it sickens me the pure greed of some people. However, I do not believe that Marxism or any similar ideology can truly be realised. (Hope your happy now Rob)
>Very happy, thanks very much. Though you like the idea of everyone being equal? Do you want complete equality or only guidelines i.e. minimum and maximum wages?