[tivodan1116]

Quote by: christibe Lack is indeed a fact of life, but it does make sense within the communist structure somewhat, because it isn't about one person lacking, it is about the system not lacking.

Huh? Scarcity has nothing to do with the system, it has to do with there being only so much stuff on the planet. The question is what system best deals with scarcity. And the answer is the system that provides incentives to minimize the effects of scarcity: capitalism.

And, in a functioning communism, the system not lacking means all the people have what they need and want at the high end of their expectation, because they all input at the high-end of their ability.

Why? If I have all that I need and want, why would I input at the high end of my ability? Complacency is the enemy of motivation.

The incentive is not placed on your own personal benefit, it is that if you give more then that value is added to the system as a whole,

Where is the incentive for people to care about the system as a whole?

it is a creative process and so if the people aren't of the nature to willfully look at ways of making the system more diverse, or constantly seeking ways of improving the quality of life of everyone, then it will grow stagnant.

Agreed. And people are not of that nature. So how do you propose to alter human nature, which would be required to make communism work? Why not simply have a system which takes advantage of human nature to provide the "carrot" for people to improve the system, i.e. "improve the system and you will be rewarded with a comfortable life"

Communism relies on the character and integrity of the people, whereas capitalism assumes nothing in that regard, and relies on inherent greed as the means for the system to become richer.

Agreed. And at the risk of invoking Godwin's law, why don't you ask Anne Frank how her reliance on the belief that all people are basically good worked out for her?
It seems better to use the system that functions through human nature, rather then the system that tries to change it.

It is a different way of looking at the same problem is all. The problem is that there are alot of individuals that want to be in a community somehow, how do we make it work?

No, the problem is that there are a limited amount of resources.

I know, and we have seen, the flaws of the communist theory. I'd say we have also seen the flaws of the capitalist theory. Unfortunately, it is difficult to break out of both.

But since communism is a "rising tide lifting all boats" theory of economic gain - everyone gains equally - communism's flaws hurt everyone. You can't make the same argument for capitalism when there are Bill Gates' and Warren Buffets and John D. Rockefellers in the world.