Was Communism Doomed? : Human Nature, Psychology and the Communist Economy

This book explores whether the ideology of communism was doomed to failure due to psychological rather than structural flaws. Does communism fail because there is not enough individual incentive and does it discourage psychological ownership? If so, does it produce learned helplessness and therefore empower evil? This book considers such questions, both with respect to how communism actually functioned and how it could have functioned using examples from Eastern Europe and the USSR itself during the 20th century. It reviews both the ideology of communism and its history, as well as the basic but difficult question of how one might decide whether an economic system can be defined as successful or not. Preface.- Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. The Aims of Communism.- Chapter 2. What is Success for a Communist Economic System?.- Chapter 4. A Short History of Communism.- Chapter 5. Possible Psychological Flaws in Communism.- Chapter 6. The Coordination Problem.- Chapter 7. Incentives.- Chapter 8. Psychological Ownership.- Chapter 9. Learned Helplessness, Locus of Control, Self-efficacy.- Chapter 10. Does Communism Empower Evil?.- Chapter 11. Conclusions. This Book Explores Whether The Ideology Of Communism Was Doomed To Failure Due To Psychological Rather Than Structural Flaws. Does Communism Fail Because There Is Not Enough Individual Incentive And Does It Discourage Psychological Ownership? If So, Does It Produce Learned Helplessness And Therefore Empower Evil? This Book Considers Such Questions, Both With Respect To How Communism Actually Functioned And How It Could Have Functioned Using Examples From Eastern Europe And The Ussr Itself During The 20th Century. It Reviews Both The Ideology Of Communism And Its History, As Well As The Basic But Difficult Question Of How One Might Decide Whether An Economic System Can Be Defined As Successful Or Not.-- The Aims Of Communism -- What Is Success For A Communist Economic System? -- A Short History Of Communism -- Possible Psychological Flaws In Communism -- The Coordination Problem -- Incentives -- Psychological Ownership -- Learned Helplessness, Locus Of Control, Self-efficacy -- Does Communism Empower Evil? -- Conclusions. Simon Kemp. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book explores whether the ideology of communism was doomed to failure due to psychological rather than structural flaws. Does communism fail because there is not enough individual incentive and does it discourage psychological ownership? If so, does it produce learned helplessness and therefore empower evil? This book considers such questions, both with respect to how communism actually functioned and how it could have functioned using examples from Eastern Europe and the USSR itself during the 20th century. It reviews both the ideology of communism and its history, as well as the basic but difficult question of how one might decide whether an economic system can be defined as successful or not. Simon Kemp is Professor of Psychology at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, with long-standing interests in economic psychology and the history of psychology. His previous books include Public Goods and Private Wants: A Psychological Approach to Government Spending and Medieval Psychology. He has also been editor of the Journal of Economic Psychology "This book explores whether the ideology of communism was doomed to failure due to psychological rather than structural flaws. Does communism fail because there is not enough individual incentive and does it discourage psychological ownership? If so, does it produce learned helplessness and therefore empower evil? This book considers such questions, both with respect to how communism actually functioned and how it could have functioned using examples from Eastern Europe and the USSR itself during the 20th century. It reviews both the ideology of communism and its history, as well as the basic but difficult question of how one might decide whether an economic system can be defined as successful or not."-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-4 The Aims of Communism....Pages 5-27 What Is Success for a Communist Economic System?....Pages 29-53 A Short History of Communism....Pages 55-92 Possible Psychological Flaws in Communism....Pages 93-104 The Coordination Problem....Pages 105-134 Incentives....Pages 135-166 Psychological Ownership....Pages 167-194 Learned Helplessness, Locus of Control, Self-Efficacy....Pages 195-214 Does Communism Empower Evil?....Pages 215-240 Conclusions....Pages 241-255 Back Matter....Pages 257-277