Saturday 24 February 2018

Dictatorship of the proletariat

The dictatorship of the proletariat is not the same as the dictatorship of an individual prole but a lot seem to think it is. There is an argument that when some development or other does not suit some of the locals then it cannot be supported by socialists. Only capitalists would spoil your view, only capitalists would develop on the bit of land near you.  For some sections of society, who believe themselves to the archetype working class, then anything which happens that is not what they want, cannot be socialists, after all as members of the working class they are in control.
If you think you genuinely socialist society will not do things that you do not like you are delusional. The principle of socialism is the greatest good for the greatest number. If, by whatever mechanism, it is decided that more housing is needed and that bit of land by you, is a good spot for it, then as a good socialist you have to consider the value of this argument and acquiesce if the building is needed. In today mixed society, simply not liking the people doing the building is not an argument against that building being done.
In a socialist society, it is just as likely to be your neighbourhood plot of land that is developed as it is under capitalism, socialism is not a justification for NIMBYism. NIMBYism is a conservative trait, a selfish trait, if you are prosocial housing, you cannot be anti it being next to you.