#+title: lower phase of communism

The lower phase of communism refers to the period right after a hypothetical
communist [[file:20200713100151-revolution.org][revolution]], wherein proletarian power is established. The goals for
the masses in this phase are to create a system whereby communism can be an
intuitive way of life. The idea comes from [[file:20200611202011-marx.org][Marx]] but was elaborated on by Lenin.

* The lower phase according to Lenin
[[file:20200706092621-vladimir_lenin.org][Lenin]] believed that it was this phase where a [[file:20200713095729-nation_state.org][state]] would safeguard common
ownership of the means of production. Lenin writes in /The State and Revolution/:

#+begin_quote
The first phase of communism, therefore, cannot yet provide justice and
equality; differences, and unjust differences, in wealth will still persist, but
the exploitation of man by man will have become impossible because it will be
impossible to seize the means of production--the factories, machines, land,
etc.--and make them private property.
--- V. I. Lenin, [[https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/ch05.htm][The State and Revolution]]
#+end_quote

Further, Lenin writes that:

#+begin_quote
[[file:20210612163923-withering_of_the_state.org][The state withers away]] insofar as there are no longer any capitalists, any
classes, and, consequently, no class can be suppressed.
#+end_quote

* Criticism of Lenin
Critics of Lenin would argue that the goal of the lower phase of communism is
actually to undo differences in wealth. The Dutch communists argued that this is
necessary (and could be solved with [[file:20210612165445-labor_time_accounting.org][labor-time accounting]]).
* Goal
The goal of the lower phase of communism ought to be the conscious establishment
of a way of life and mode of production alternative to capitalism that is as
intuitive as how capitalism operates.