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I like to approach issues from a psychological viewpoint rooted in sound science, or brain chemistry if you will.

When confronted by the idea of communism in college, I must admit, that at first blush it sounded ideal. After all, the idea of communism is that every person lives and works in a classless society, where all goods and products are divided equally, trumpeting some of the same values of America, "All men are created equal." However, the idea is only sound on paper, because, well, human beings are not innately classless, and have complex brain chemistries that directly oppose the whole notion of a bland, classless society.

For example, put ten strangers in a room, and instantly classes evolve. The biggest, strongest male is instantly recognized by genetically preprogrammed bundles of nerves in our brains as an alpha male/ leader type. The weakest man in the room is also identified. In addition, the most attractive woman also gains instant social status. As you have seen from watching any reality show, drama always occurs with people and conflict and class are actually genetically programmed into human beings.

And that's just with ten people folks. When dealing with millions of people, complex chemical impulses in the human brain, make a classless harmonious society impossible.

Almost every word in the English language dealing with a nuanced "feeling" or "idea" has been scientifically shown to correspond with chemical reactions. Have you ever felt desire? This is dopamine, with a a few other hormones thrown in. Have you ever felt jealousy? Rage? Love? Chemicals, all. Have you ever felt resolve flood your system? One moment you are lying in the dirt metaphorically, but the next you feel your jaw firm, your eyes dilate, and you stand up with a stiff resolve? Guess what, that resolve flooding your body was actually the release of complex chemical hormones.

Well, some intellectuals feel that these pesky chemical interactions could be overcome. After all, just force everyone to get along and people will be more productive and peaceful right?

Well, no. The same chemicals that make you desire power or success (ambition anyone?) make you think faster, sharper, be more productive, bolster your immune system, etc.. The only way that everyone could be forced to work in a classless society is through the oppression of these natural chemical impulses.

That's right. Oppression.

When threatened by physical violence, death, etc, you brain will release the necessary chemicals to counter your other desires and impulses. However, over time you become... well oppressed. Even depressed, if you will. You live in a classless society, where no matter what you do, you will never be better or worse than anyone else, and if you seek to change this, you will face death. Slowly, the unnatural brain chemistry this produces causes you to become mentally unstable, inefficient, sickly, lethargic.

This is why communism does not work efficiently, and when enforced, results in a bland, lethargic society.

Most forms of communism that were around were not actually communism. People still had different levels of status, etc. After all, the Soviet Union had a premeir and generals, etc.

So in the end, the entire concept of communism is a mythos to tell the people you rule, while you enjoy your power and position, oppressing and confusing the populace.

Learn more about this author, Jonathan Jones.
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