Single Idea 5283

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 9. Communism]

Full Idea

In communist society, where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates production, and I can hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon and criticise after dinner.

Gist of Idea

In communist society we are not trapped in one activity, but can act freely

Source

K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.A)

Book Reference

Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.54


A Reaction

This sounds like a hopeless daydream, and Plato would be appalled. It now (2004) looks as if this aspiration is more likely to be met in a liberal capitalist democracy than it is under any state-controlled communism.