Exploring the Ideological Divide: Democracy and Communism through Dialectical Philosophy

Human history has been shaped by the ebb and flow of ideas, and perhaps nothing exemplifies this more than the ideological chasm between Communism and Democracy. From the dawn of civilization, societies have evolved through various stages – from Feudalism to Capitalism – all while grappling with the quest for governance and order. These pursuits have often led to conflicts and wars, and the most prominent instance in the recent past was the Cold War, a clash of Democratic-Capitalism and Communism.

To gain deeper insights into this ideological schism, let's turn our attention to Dialectical Philosophy, a framework that illuminates the dynamics of change and interaction.

The Essence of Dialectical Philosophy

"Dialectic is a process of interacting between two or more things each of which is causally influencing the other in such a way that each develops through such interaction. That is, each while retaining its own integrity, changes not only as a consequence of being influenced by the other but also as a consequence of its own influences on the other that in turn influence it." - Archie Bahm, "Epistemology".

This dialectical process is not confined to abstract philosophy; it operates within natural organisms, phenomena, and social entities. Humanity, as a natural organism endowed with reasoning capabilities, has constructed intricate social organizations through the process of inferential thinking. This unique mode of thinking involves apprehension, judgment, and reasoning, ultimately leading to inference, argument, and dialogue. This cognitive ability, is universal across cultures, transcending geographical and historical divides. Without inferential thinking, characterized by dialogue and argumentation, human progress and the accumulation of new knowledge would stagnate.

Interestingly, dialectical thinking was hindered in societies steeped in faith and superstition. The ancient Greeks, with luminaries like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, marked a turning point by embracing dialectical reasoning, which blossomed into scientific thinking and modernity. They replaced explanations rooted in divine intervention with those based on empirical evidence.

Diagram taken from William Ferea's History and Ideas lecture notes in 2004, University of PNG

 

Human Ideas: Foundations of Complex Civilizations

Human ideas have acted as the bedrock for building intricate civilizations. The Hegelian-Marxist Dialectics of Harmonization posits that within these civilizations lie dialectical processes that foster inevitable change. When ideas are introduced, the dialectical phenomenon unfolds as fallible human minds produce them. The clash of old and new ideas engenders evolution.

This dialectical premise serves as the foundation for explaining the great ideological divide. Consider the iconic example of Democracy versus Communism, the cornerstone of Western philosophical thought. Democracy stands as the thesis, while Communism opposes as the antithesis. The Cold War, despite its limited physical violence, propelled change, culminating in the synthesis of Capitalism.

Exploring Democracy: From Ancient Athens to Liberalism

Democracy, as an ideology, traces its roots back to ancient times, specifically to the city-state of Athens where direct democracy allowed citizens to represent themselves in the People's Assembly. This form, prevalent from around 500 BC to 330 BC, excluded women, slaves, non-residents, and children from citizenship. Modern Democracy, however, emphasizes government by the entire population through elected representatives, constituting Representative Democracy.

Central to Democracy is the doctrine of Separation of Powers, pivotal in liberal democratic systems. This doctrine splits governance into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, preventing despotism. Furthermore, decentralization, an offshoot of this doctrine, empowers provincial and local governments, safeguarding against tyranny.

Democracy and its associated values also align with Liberalism, which champions individual rights and freedom of choice. Emerging from the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and political revolutions, Liberalism advocates limited government intervention and emphasizes progress, reform, and individual liberty.

Industrial Capitalism: Changing the Socioeconomic Landscape

The Industrial Revolution ushered in profound societal changes, shifting the focus from agrarian to urban and transforming manufacturing through machinery and artificial power sources. Factories emerged, reshaping the economy and the workforce. The production process evolved from individual artisans to centralized factories, altering labor dynamics. The market economy emerged, driven by free markets and supply-demand principles. However, monopolies and government regulations tempered the idea of a truly free market.

Communism: A Reaction to Capitalist Exploitation

Communism, epitomized by Marx's theories, reacted to the exploitation inherent in Capitalism, particularly the bourgeoisie's enrichment at the expense of the proletariat. Marx's "Communist Manifesto" (1848) envisioned a society without classes, advocating state ownership of means of production to achieve wealth equality. Marx's doctrines underwent modification by Lenin, who orchestrated the Russian Revolution and introduced a single-party dictatorship.

Conclusion: A Divergent Journey

In the great ideological divide, Democracy and Communism stand as distinct poles. Democracy's evolution spans from ancient Athens to modern representative systems, embodying values of liberty and separation of powers. Capitalism, intertwined with Democracy, fueled the Industrial Revolution and led to the dominance of the bourgeoisie.

In contrast, Communism emerged as a reaction to Capitalist exploitation, aiming to dismantle class hierarchies through state control. Marx's theories were manifested in Lenin's Russia, leading to the establishment of a single-party Communist system.

These ideologies, rooted in dialectical thinking, continue to shape our world. The clash of these philosophies encapsulates the complexity of human history and the enduring pursuit of systems that provide governance, equality, and progress.