Some economists claim that commodity production is inherent to human societies, or to take an anthropological term, that market based economic exchange is a cultural universal. This, of course, is false, and even a brief look at human history and pre-history indicates that for much of their time on this planet human beings (i.e., homo sapiens sapiens) have collectively or individually produced goods for their own consumption. Only recently has commodity production for the market been the dominant form of economic mode of existence. And this market was not a “natural” distribution mechanism either. So while capitalism has created the technological capabilities to produce enormous wealth, this economic relationship is still based on mass exploitation.
Within Rosa Luxemburg’s Reform or Revolution, she indicates the three principal results of capitalist development which include (1) “the growing anarchy of capitalist economy, leading inevitably to ruin”; (2) “the progressive socialization of the process of production, which creates the germs of the future social order”; and (3) “the increased organization and consciousness of the proletarian class, which constitutes the active factor of the coming revolution.” Essentially, as Marx argued, capitalism has created its own gravediggers.
So in short, scientific socialism (as opposed to utopian socialism, bourgeois socialism, etc.) is achievable through class struggle where the working class wrests political power from the capitalists who control the state. In gaining power to rationally organize society (i.e., planning the production and distribution of goods), people will also be free to participate in the running of society, not to mention pursue the creation of art, music, literature, etc. To gain a better understanding of revolutionary socialism, a reading of Karl Marx, Fredrich Engels, V.I. Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Rosa Luxemburg, and Antonio Gramsci’s writings and the history of revolutionary upheavals such as the Russian Revolution will be enormously rewarding.
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This, of course, is false, and even a brief look at human history and pre-history indicates that for much of their time on this planet human beings (i.e., homo sapiens sapiens) have collectively or individually produced goods for their own consumption.
It appears consistent that the individual has produced his or her own goods for their own consumption. Some individuals may do so and live like a hermit. However, most individuals choose to exchange their goods for other goods that the individual was not able to produce. Free exchange is requisite for a society and economy to grow.
(1) “the growing anarchy of capitalist economy, leading inevitably to ruin”;
This statement implies an assumption, that we now live in a "free market capitalist economy". However, we live in a corporatist/interventionist economy.
(2) “the progressive socialization of the process of production, which creates the germs of the future social order”
This statement suggests that a capitalist economy leads to a socialist economy. However, given the definition of a free market, a capitalist economy will continue to be capitalist.
(3) “the increased organization and consciousness of the proletarian class, which constitutes the active factor of the coming revolution.”
This statement implies class objectification. However it is not classes that act, but indiviuals.
So in short, scientific socialism (as opposed to utopian socialism, bourgeois socialism, etc.) is achievable through class struggle where the working class wrests political power from the capitalists who control the state.
This may be one point where we have a bit of common ground. Albeit a bit. Under a free market, the influence on an individual firm on the state in turn restricting competing firms, would be nil.
In gaining power to rationally organize society (i.e., planning the production and distribution of goods), people will also be free to participate in the running of society, not to mention pursue the creation of art, music, literature, etc.
In a free market, individuals participate as much and as little in production and exchange as the individual desires.
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