First of all the question is a bit of a strawman because socialism and collectivism are not 1 to 1 the same thing. Some level of collectivism is necessary in a socialism system but only to a certain extent, just as a sustainable capitalist system can’t be 100% individualist either . A socialist country CAN be extremely collectivist, but that just depends on the culture of the country in question. Marxism is against systematic exploitation at the industrial scale, it doesn’t say we have to be spending all our time doing nice things for our neighbors 24/7.
As for why a true individualist society would suck, it would eventually end in a huge mass of undereducated people, infrastructure decay and general neglect if we assume an opportunist doesn’t immediately take over and establish a dictatorship. Some things just aren’t going to happen without collectivist coordination.
wanting poor people around you to have a better life so they’re not homeless, they’re healthier, they’re happier so you in turn arent forced to witness the immiseration, etc etc etc.
also, wanting accessible cheap housing for you or your kids could be another reason.
there’s plenty of selfish reasons for wanting communism.
generally i’m just like “the future of all of us including me hinges on socialism because capitalism will kill all of us” or for me “i want to fight for justice and not be an oppressor so people dont rightfully kill me” so it’s very easy to apply it selfishly
Yeah I want to have my life improve as well, which will not be possible under capitalism because my problems are inherently tied to capitalism itself (lack of unemployment due to the chaotic nature of job application and lack of justice due to police just not being interested in my case): A pretty selfish motivation for wanting to uphold socialism (though I have more noble reasons as well).
First of all the question is a bit of a strawman because socialism and collectivism are not 1 to 1 the same thing. Some level of collectivism is necessary in a socialism system but only to a certain extent, just as a sustainable capitalist system can’t be 100% individualist either . A socialist country CAN be extremely collectivist, but that just depends on the culture of the country in question. Marxism is against systematic exploitation at the industrial scale, it doesn’t say we have to be spending all our time doing nice things for our neighbors 24/7.
As for why a true individualist society would suck, it would eventually end in a huge mass of undereducated people, infrastructure decay and general neglect if we assume an opportunist doesn’t immediately take over and establish a dictatorship. Some things just aren’t going to happen without collectivist coordination.
I also imagine that there can be quite selfish reasons for supporting Marxism, though I have trouble thinking of them right now.
wanting poor people around you to have a better life so they’re not homeless, they’re healthier, they’re happier so you in turn arent forced to witness the immiseration, etc etc etc.
also, wanting accessible cheap housing for you or your kids could be another reason.
there’s plenty of selfish reasons for wanting communism.
And plenty of collectivist reasons too, but that is a given considering how even the stereotype of communism is collectivism to the extreme.
generally i’m just like “the future of all of us including me hinges on socialism because capitalism will kill all of us” or for me “i want to fight for justice and not be an oppressor so people dont rightfully kill me” so it’s very easy to apply it selfishly
Yeah I want to have my life improve as well, which will not be possible under capitalism because my problems are inherently tied to capitalism itself (lack of unemployment due to the chaotic nature of job application and lack of justice due to police just not being interested in my case): A pretty selfish motivation for wanting to uphold socialism (though I have more noble reasons as well).