Friday, March 2, 1934
Daily Ncbraskan
Pago 5
Soviet democracy a lesson for U.S.
A prevailing myth about socialism is that it is
undemocratic. However, a closer look at the expe
rience of Russia reveals that socialism was very
democratic during its early stages there.
Prior to and during the Russian Revolution, the
people of that country organized themselves into
councils which met daily and through which they
governed their lives.
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t
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I
L
Crislma
Madart
Soldiers had soldier councils, and peasants and
workers had similar councils. So did professional
people, artists and every sector of society.
These councils were very different from the clubs
and associations' that thrive in America today. In
this country, one joins a club as a hobby as a kind
of escape from one's everyday life.
It was quite the opposite in revolutionary Russia.
There, one's involvement in the councils reflected
the pervasiveness of democratic decision-making in
one's everyday life.
These councils elected delegates who met to
coordinate policy between different areas of the
country. Since democracy and council meetings
were an integral part of one's everyday life, these
delegates could be- instantly recalled if they dis
pleased the membership of the council which had
sent them.
This council democracy was much more demo
cratic than the capitalist democracy that we enjoy
today. Here, we have to wait for two years to elect
someone we only know because he has received
money from rich people to pay for advertising.
After the election, most of us mind our own busi
ness while our representative goes off and furthers
the corporate interests that contributed to his
campaign.
In contrast, council democracy brought real,
everyday democratic power into the life of the ordi
nary Russian. Workers at a factory elected their own
supervisors and soldiers elected their leaders.
People met in these councils to distribute food
needy and all the various things that are necessary
to our lives.
fig Lexers
Bad basketball joke
What do you get when you cross Moe Iba with a
groundhog? Answer: Six more weeks of bad basket
ball. "
Craig Nelson
first year
College of Law
B j. Am an
first year
College of Law
Ve torture ourselves
I am writing in response to Sandra Schank's letter
(Daily Nebraskan, Feb. 23). Sandra states that God
is one who tortures and murders on Judgement
Day, thus, why would anyone want to believe in him.
Sandra, I hate to break the news to you, but God
doesn't torture us; we do it ourselves. In Matthew 5,
Jesus lists and talks about some of the many com
mandments we need to keep and that by violating
these commandements, we limit our chances in
gaming eternal life. It's like breaking the law of driv
ing while intoxicated. We know if we violate this law,
we limit our chance of keeping our license.
Jesus also tells us that it is much easier for a camel
to pass through the eye of a needle than for a person
to get through the gates ofheaven, not meaningthat
on Judgement day, you decide if you want to go to
heaven or not. You are making that decision all
through your life because God has given you the
freedom to make that decision. Ill let you in on a
secret: It's not one bit easy for any one person. Ill
pray for you, Sandra.
Virginia Nemec
junior
elementary education
Letters
Policy
ru rwf,i Kshmei-nn welcomes briefletters to the
editor from all readers and interested others.
Letters will be selected for publication on the
basis of clarity, originality, timeliness and space
available.TlieDailyNebraskanrctainstherightto
edit all material submitted. :
Submit material to the Daily Nebraskan, 34
Nebraska Union, 1400 R St, Lincoln, Neb. So83-
ous. : - ,
In America today, democracy is not only limited
in' the political sphere but in other areas as well: A
worker's democratic rights end the minute she
enters the factory gate or the office. There, one finds
a boss who i3 appointed from above and, in the case
of private industry, one has no control over the
profit that one produces.
Thus it is quite evident that socialist democracy is
much more democratic than capitalist democracy
in all areas of life political, social, economic, etc.
However, socialist democracy failed in Russia. It
failed because the historical conditions for its full
flowering were not present. These conditions include
mass literacy and the economic and social integra
tion of different areas of the country.
However, these conditions presently are being
created both in Russia and elsewhere. When the
historical conditions are right, the oppressive
bureaucracy of that country will be swept away by a
real socialist democracy.
However, mass literacy and economic and social
integration will affect not only Russia but other
countries as well. These developments will just as
surely replace capitalism with socialist democracy
in this nation.
tt n Daily
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