Communism, a concept that sounds somewhat distant, doesn't come out of thin air. It is born from the capitalist society we are familiar with. Like building a house, you need a foundation first. The foundation of communism is capitalism. Therefore, when we discuss rights, we cannot separate them from the things that are generally recognized, taken for granted, and considered reasonable in society.
The Dilemma of "Bourgeois Right" Under a Market Economy
In the context of a market economy, some people will inevitably wonder: What is "bourgeois right"?
Some people were confused when reading "The State and Revolution." The book says, "Equal quantities of labor are given equal products." Isn't this distribution according to work? Isn't this a socialist principle? How did it become "bourgeois right" again?
This requires understanding the uniqueness of socialism. Socialism is the transitional stage from capitalism to communism, like a "hybrid," with both the shadow of capitalism and the genes of communism, constantly competing with each other.
Distribution according to need is a purely communist principle, while distribution according to work carries the color of "bourgeois right."
Open Source Movement: The Game Between Communism and Capitalism
The currently popular open-source movement is a good example. Capitalists, on the one hand, want to monopolize, and on the other hand, have to admit the power of open source.
Take DeepSeek, for example. It relies on open-source technology to shock even OpenAI. Behind this is the game between two forces: communism (sharing, open source) and capitalism (monopoly, profit).
Distribution According to Work: Socialist Principle or "Bourgeois Right"?
So, is distribution according to work a socialist principle or "bourgeois right"?
In fact, the socialist principle itself contains elements of "bourgeois right." However, "bourgeois right" is not just distribution according to work but also includes distribution according to capital, according to rank, according to risk, according to power, according to investment, etc.
Marx mentioned in "Critique of the Gotha Programme" that communism does not fall from the sky but emerges from capitalist society. Therefore, in communist society, people's rights are still inseparable from those "taken for granted" and "reasonable" things that are universally recognized by society.
The "Eight-Grade Wage System" in the Mao Zedong Era
In China during the Mao Zedong era, an "eight-grade wage system" was implemented. But this system may not even be considered "bourgeois right" and even had some feudal privileged color. Because at that time, wages were mainly determined by seniority and years of service, rather than truly based on your labor input.
Wage System in American Factories
In American factories, even new employees, as long as they do the same work, can get the same salary. The hourly wage difference between the team leader and ordinary workers may only be a few cents, a very small difference. This is true distribution according to work.
Does Socialism Need Currency?
Does socialism need currency? Of course, it does. As long as distribution according to need cannot be achieved, it cannot do without currency. You can call it "labor coupons" or any other name, but in essence, it is currency.
As long as distribution according to work exists, you need a certificate to measure your labor input. Even if you restrict the circulation of this certificate, you cannot prevent people from exchanging it privately.
Therefore, socialist society still needs currency. But the function of this currency is different from that in capitalist society.
For example, you cannot use it to speculate on stocks because there is no stock market; you cannot use it to lend money at high interest rates.
In socialist society, currency is only a medium of exchange, not a tool for accumulating wealth and increasing capital.
The Difference Between Currency in Socialist and Capitalist Societies
| Feature | Capitalist Society | Socialist Society |
|---|---|---|
| Main Function | Wealth Reserve, Capital Appreciation | Medium of Exchange |
| Investment/Speculation | Allows Stock Speculation, High-Interest Loans | Prohibits Stock Speculation, High-Interest Loans |
| Essence | Tool for Capital Accumulation | Only a Medium for the Exchange of Labor Value |
Therefore, socialist society has currency, but its characteristics are distinctly different from those of capitalist society and market economy. Some issues may require deeper discussion to be fully clarified.