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What makes communism possible? The self-realisation interpretation

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  • Jan Kandiyali

Abstract

In the Critique of Gotha Programme , Karl Marx famously argues that a communist society will be characterised by the principle, ‘From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs!’ I take up a question about this principle that was originally posed by G.A. Cohen , namely: what makes communism (so conceived) possible for Marx? In reply to this question, Cohen interprets Marx as saying that communism is possible because of limitless abundance, a view that Cohen takes to be implausible for ecological reasons. I develop a new interpretation of Marx's position. On this interpretation, people in communist society achieve self-realisation through providing others with the goods and services required for their self-realisation. Coupled with a reasonably high (but not immense) development of productive power, self-realisation generates conditions in which people can produce according to their abilities and receive according to their needs. I defend this view as an interpretation of Marx and I argue that it represents a more plausible account of what makes communism possible than Cohen's interpretation in which technological advance and limitless abundance play the predominant role.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Kandiyali, 2024. "What makes communism possible? The self-realisation interpretation," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 23(3), pages 273-294, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pophec:v:23:y:2024:i:3:p:273-294
    DOI: 10.1177/1470594X231219764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jens Jørund Tyssedal, 2023. "Good work: The importance of caring about making a social contribution," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 22(2), pages 177-196, May.
    2. John E. Roemer, 1994. "A Future for Socialism," Politics & Society, , vol. 22(4), pages 451-478, December.
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