Communism VS Capitalism

In yesterday's article, I commented on the infrastructure and social challenges that Nicaragua continues to face in spite of the apparent implementation of very modern technology.  The greatest danger exists because there are no redundant systems or "legacy" backup systems behind the new technologies. 

There are many economic, social and political reasons that Nicaragua faces challenges but, as an outsider,  it seems that no reason ranks so high in the people's hearts as politics.  The implementation of communistic ideas had devastating effects on Nicaragua - a nation once known as the "jewel of Central America" with resorts and a thriving capital.  Property was siezed and wealth redistributed in such a way that the country declined instead of improving.  Oppression struck those that did not "speak the party line" and freedom existed only for those associated with leadership.  The poor were given enough redistribution to keep them voting for a "wealfare state" but, largely uneducated, these masses did not understand that there was much more to be made and distributed outside of welfare.

Any educated politician or economist will tell you that communism (I know - a broad term - use it in the economic sense) is a grand model for successfully running a social/political system.  However, it is only a model.  The promises of communism are a theory that work only in the vacuum of a classroom.  The model has been implemented in country after country with consistent results: a decline in productivity, economy, welfare and health leading to unrest and oppression.   As those leaders who implement socialistic ideas realize that it is not working, they are forced to oppress freedoms to maintain the ever failing system that they have created.  Why?

The problem with communism is very simple - people are selfish by nature and socialism requires universal unselfishness by all participants.  Those championing communism can prove its pure merits and benefits in the classroom but not in the real world.  Those attempting to implement socialistic ideas soon find themselves trying to legislate unselfishness which is the seeds of oppression.  One simply cannot legislate ethics and an entirely unselfish ethic is what socialism requires.  The Christians of the First Century Church (all in unity and bound by one faith in Jesus Christ) encountered the trials of socialism as they realized that they now had all they needed in Christ .   They began to make common their assets and time and, in essence, began "communal" (the root idea behind communism or socialism) living.  They voluntarily chose this life and it benefited all.  However, even these loving, unselfish believers began to quickly encounter their "fleshly nature" to seek their own good and communal living began to digress. 

Poor Nicaragua.  Most of their wealth was stolen and the beauty lost in the eyes of the world.  Once again, captialistic in gerneral, the country begins to find itself capable of interacting with the world and promoting an economy that will eventually benefit all.  Interestingly, even with the progress of the last ten years of political stability and the removal of the "ideal but ever ineffective communism", there are still those that wish to regain power and once again implement socialistic ideas.  They claim to want to do it for the people but do they really want to help the people?  Don't they see the failure of their ideas in previous generations?  Don't they see that they had their moment in the spotlight and it didn't work out well?  Most definitely they see all these things but socialistic ideas benefit them more than capitalistic ideas.

As leaders, we should not take captive and exploit our people for "pipe dream" ideas and visions that have been proven to fail to produce solid, deep followers of Christ while only benefiting those associated with leadership.  We should not gain from others.  We should not redistribute the wealth as the TV evangelist who provides some to many and much to himself.  Even if we as purists know that our idea will work in the classroom, we must realize that we cannot legislate ethics and morals.  We should be careful in how much we water down the truth so that many will respond and the church will grow.  Masses of spiritually impoverished people do not constitute church growth. 

People need real answers that work long term in the real world.  People need leaders who are wise.  People need leaders who are selfless.  People need a prosperous spiritual future that God promised - God forbid and have mercy on us if we, leaders, rob them of it through foolishness, ignorance or intent.