Apologies for being away from this thread for a while, I genuinely havent had the time to write anything more than 2 or 3 lines long recently
I would contest that honest citizens would want to work to help support their community
Honest does not necessarily mean magnanimous.
Perhaps I am being a little bit naive here, but I would hope that most people would have the maturity to realise that society will collapse if people dont work and would want to protect it, if only to save their standard of living. If everyone is paid the same wage, then everybody has a stake in watching that wage either increase or decrease week-by-week, leading to a sense of societal responsibility. If we liken this hypothetical communist government to a small ship which has sprung a leak, I would expect everyone to head belowdecks with a bucket in each hand just to save their own skin. Generosity has nothing to do with this, everyone is pulling together for a brighter future, which in turn helps pull the country together and promotes interest in every political decision (e.g. closing a car factory on the other side of the country will have a direct effect on your wage packet, promoting interest).
For those needing added incentive, throw in a carrot and stick scheme
Do you have a metaphorical carrot on a stick to suggest? I can't think of a good enough one, myself.
Hmm, a pretty tricky question. Im sure there are plenty out there, but im struggling a bit myself. I'd probably start by introducing a second currency, lets call them currencies A and B. Peoples wages are formed from currency A, which can then be used to pay for anything. Whereas currency B is performance related, but can only be used for a pre-selected list of "luxury" items/holidays/events etc. Somebody with experience in economics would need to check this over quite thoroughly, but it seems to be a feasible carrot.
As for the stick, people who refuse to select a job (without a good excuse e.g. old age/illness/education etc) will lose all (or possibly part) or there entitlement to currency A and definately wont be receiving any carrot.
Nationalism didn't work too well for pre-WWII Germany or Stalin's Russia.
Im not entirely sure about Stalins Russia, but the Weimar republic period for Germany (often referred to as the Golden Age) was a time of growth for the country (despite the oh-so oppressive treaty of Versaille hanging round its neck). Many of the phrases from that period are still useful today, such as "Joy through work, live through labor". Admittedly, hyper-inflation wasnt great, but that was due to the specific governments bad judgement rather than a failure in the form of government.
If the person hoarding money was clever, innovative, lucky, or born into a wealthy family, then it's not a problem
I disagree with this point. Why should person B have an inferior quality of life to person A, just because he is less clever/attractive/charismatic? Things that he is born with and cant change. Doesnt seem fair to me...
Exactly. How many people collecting enough unemployment and food stamps to buy a flat screen TV can you imagine will be motivated enough to go out and find a 9-to-5 job? It's the same phenomenon we're seeing in county jails - the lazy sometimes commit crimes so they can be sent to jail and watch TV and sit around all day. (Prison is another story, usually being much more dangerous and long-term.)
As for lazy people, they will have to meet the almighty stick (see above) and either start working, emigrate or starve.
Communism ftw!
EDIT: Humorous addition removed as requested. It made me smile...
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