← Back to archive

Innovation under communism

Historical archive only. New interaction is disabled.

Original Question

John: Communism will not work because there is no more competition. Without competition, there is no innovation.


Michael: In communism, there is still competition as countries will compete with each other. Only local competition will be absent.


 


Qs:


1. Is there any fallacy here?


2. Can there be competition and innovation under communism?

Comments on Question

1) If by "communism will not work" he is claiming it will stifel innovation due to lack of competition, I see no fallacy.


2) Under a pure communist system where the state controls 100 % of the means of production, I would agree that there could be very little innovation at the local level if the state is producing everything.


The response by Michael is somewhat true, think of the Soviets competing with the USA during the cold war. Competition with the USA  led them to build a nuclear weapons regime comparable in strength.


 


 


 


 

That's exactly what Trump and the Republicans are trying to do, no free elections, no rule of law for Trump and the party leaders, no freedom of speech, no freedom period.  You described exactly the direction Trump and the Republican wackos in the current Senate are moving.

Answers

1

1) I see no fallacies.


2) This is more of a question for economists perhaps. As a layperson regarding communism, it would seem to me that there is truth in this, especially in a country that engages in global trade. If the country is more isolated, then there would be less competition. However, the pressures of competition would be significantly less than a capitalistic society, which could very well have a significant effect on overall innovation.

Book

Want the full book?

Get the complete guide to logical fallacies by Bo Bennett.

Buy the Book

Master Logical Fallacies Online

Take the Virversity course and sharpen your reasoning skills with structured lessons.

View Online Course