Are Mudokons Communist?

MeechMunchie · #1 10-10-2010, 11:43 PM

Just asking. It would give a little bit of bite to their conflict with the Capitalists.

They certainly seem to be all for saving their brothers and the protection of the workers.

enchilado · #2 10-11-2010, 12:40 AM

It seems they are...

moxco · #3 10-11-2010, 02:22 AM

They live in hunter-gatherer societies; there is no form of government.

GlukkonGluk · #4 10-11-2010, 06:52 AM

I think they have enough problems without worrying about their own system of government sorted. And it's not so much "protect the workers" as it is "free the slaves". There's a difference there!

OANST · #5 10-11-2010, 07:18 AM

They are the great red threat.

STM · #6 10-11-2010, 09:29 AM

Brothers, lend me your ears.
What is needed, they say, are explanations of certain questions connected with the election campaign. What explanations, on what questions? Everything that had to be explained has been explained and explained again in the well-known Addresses of the Modakveik, the Young Abacsit League, the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions against the Magog Cartel, the Aviation and Chemical Defence Society and the Committee of Shrykul Culture. What can be added to these explanations?

Of course, one can make a light sort of speech about everything and nothing. Perhaps such a speech would amuse the audience. They say there are some great hands at such speeches not only over there, in the capitalist countries, but here too, in the Soviet country. But, firstly, I am no great hand at such speeches. Secondly, is it worth while indulging in amusing things just now when all of us Bolsheviks are, as they say, "up to our necks" in, work? I think not.

Clearly, you cannot make a good speech under such circumstances.

However, since I have taken the floor, I will have, of course, to say at least something one way or another.
First of all, I would like to express my thanks to the electors for the confidence they have shown me.

I have been nominated as candidate, and the Election Commission of the Alf District of the Soviet capital has registered my candidature. This, comrades, is an expression of great confidence. Permit me to convey to you my profound Mudakavik gratitude for this confidence that you have shown the Mudakavik Party of which I am a member, and me personally as a representative of that Party.

I know what confidence means. It naturally lays upon me new and additional duties and, consequently, new and additional responsibilities. Well, it is not customary among us Mudokaviks to refuse responsibilities. I accept them willingly.

For my part, I would like to assure you, comrades, that you may safely rely on Comrade Abraham. (Loud and sustained cheers. A voice:"And we all follow Abraham Lure!") You may take it for granted that Comrade Abe will be able to discharge his duty to the people (applause ), to the working class (applause ), to the peasantry (applause ) and to the intelligentsia. (Applause.)

You have my word brothers...I am Comrade Abraham.

(((Did I kill it there, or is that a thread closer?)))

OANST · #7 10-11-2010, 09:45 AM

Did you copy and paste a speech from Animal Farm?

STM · #8 10-11-2010, 09:50 AM

No, it is a re-write of a popular election speech by Stalin, I changed party names and re worded it for oddworldian effect.

Jango · #9 10-11-2010, 01:04 PM

Mudokons are definitely NOT communist. It can be proven by the following quotation by Abe in the opening cut-scene to Abe's Oddysee: 'I had to escape, I had to be free...' This portrays that Abe wishes to be free, and not under the ruling of a dictatorship, much like communism would be. The use of the word 'escape' suggests that he is in a prison. Communism is a bearer of many prisons, thus meaning that Abe isn't communist as he hates prisons. Although it could be seen that Abe doesn't like high-end capitalism, as he is thoroughly against the Glukkons and the many corparations that they run, this doesn't necessarily mean that he is communist.

There's some good analysis for you!

OANST · #10 10-11-2010, 01:07 PM

That is possibly the dumbest thing I've ever read.

Jango · #11 10-11-2010, 01:18 PM

:

That is possibly the dumbest thing I've ever read.

Why? I was making a point, then used evidence to back it up, then explained it, analysed the language used by Abe himself to support my point, and I even gave an alternative viewpoint (sort of).

Haven't you heard of the PEEL structure to argue points? Are you even an expert at English and communism? Because if you're not, I don't know under what basis you intend to say that my writing was 'dumb'!

OANST · #12 10-11-2010, 01:23 PM

I say it was dumb because you obviously have no idea what communism is, and yet you felt compelled to write an idiotic essay using the flimsiest of logic to argue the most moronic of standpoints.

Jango · #13 10-11-2010, 01:33 PM

:

I say it was dumb because you obviously have no idea what communism is, and yet you felt compelled to write an idiotic essay using the flimsiest of logic to argue the most moronic of standpoints.

I do know what communism is, it is when the people are equal and the workers have equal rights and equal wages. But also communism is where only the leaders have power and the workers have no say and nearly everything is owned and run by the government; there is no private property. That's the basic idea. I should have included the fact that communism means the workers/people are equal in my alternative viewpoint part of the essay.

Also, the reason I was writing it like an essay was because I have three GCSE English exams in June; I need the practice you see.

I thought this would be a good opportunity, to integrate things that I can easily write about, into it. Sorry if this bothered you.

***Wil*** · #14 10-11-2010, 01:45 PM

Just don't write about communism.

Jango · #15 10-11-2010, 01:53 PM

:

Just don't write about communism.

OK, fair enough.

But does that still mean that I can practice my essay writing in other topic areas if I decide to do so? I don't think there's anything against it in the rules is there?

OANST · #16 10-11-2010, 01:54 PM

:

Mudokons are definitely NOT communist. It can be proven by the following quotation by Abe in the opening cut-scene to Abe's Oddysee: 'I had to escape, I had to be free...' This portrays that Abe wishes to be free, and not under the ruling of a dictatorship, much like communism would be. The use of the word 'escape' suggests that he is in a prison. Communism is a bearer of many prisons, thus meaning that Abe isn't communist as he hates prisons. Although it could be seen that Abe doesn't like high-end capitalism, as he is thoroughly against the Glukkons and the many corparations that they run, this doesn't necessarily mean that he is communist.

There's some good analysis for you!

One of your great mistakes here is mistaking the philosophy of communism with the way that communism has been implemented in the past. Communism was never meant to be an oppressive force. On the contrary, it was meant to be a means to total freedom from the oppression of the bourgeoisie, and also a freedom from the deep-seated fear and panic that is caused by the need to find suitable work to provide for your family.

You also claim that Abe hates prisons. While you can certainly make a guess that Abe is not fond of prisons, it is unbelievably presumptuous of you to state that he is against all prisons in general simply because he does not like being forced to work in one himself. And even if this is true, even if Abe does want to live in a world without prisons, there are many forms of the Communist philosophy that would exist with no prisons, and no laws. They would function solely on the social contract.

Jango · #17 10-11-2010, 02:06 PM

:

One of your great mistakes here is mistaking the philosophy of communism with the way that communism has been implemented in the past. Communism was never meant to be an oppressive force. On the contrary, it was meant to be a means to total freedom from the oppression of the bourgeoisie, and also a freedom from the deep-seated fear and panic that is caused by the need to find suitable work to provide for your family.

You also claim that Abe hates prisons. While you can certainly make a guess that Abe is not fond of prisons, it is unbelievably presumptuous of you to state that he is against all prisons in general simply because he does not like being forced to work in one himself. And even if this is true, even if Abe does want to live in a world without prisons, there are many forms of the Communist philosophy that would exist with no prisons, and no laws. They would function solely on the social contract.

Yes, sorry, I must have gotten it a bit mixed up with Stalinism you see. I did not interpret all of the possible viewpoints and facts. Thank you for such a well-written and structured answer.

OANST · #18 10-11-2010, 02:08 PM

Yeah, alright. Sorry I was a dick.

Hazel-Rah · #19 10-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Hmm, they're communists, who are the unelected officials that control everything then?

OANST · #20 10-11-2010, 02:18 PM

Argh.

None of you know what communism is.

Hazel-Rah · #21 10-11-2010, 02:19 PM

besides a power vacuum?

OANST · #22 10-11-2010, 02:25 PM

One of it's fundamental flaws, yes.

I'm not saying that communism is perfect or even sustainable. I'm merely saying that it isn't what people seem to think it is. It's not even what a lot of communists seem to think it is.

Mr. Bungle · #23 10-11-2010, 02:26 PM

I also think they're Hunter-gatherer. Were the Natives communist? I don't think so.

Hazel-Rah · #24 10-11-2010, 02:37 PM

They could be Marxists

Isn't that the one without states and leaders?

IDK all the cool political philosophies are really vague because they're bullshit and don't account for human nature, like anarcho capitalism, I don't really believe in that I just like to trollololol

OANST · #25 10-11-2010, 02:52 PM

Anarchy is quite a bit more realistic than people seem to think. Human nature is social. As such, most people adhere to a fairly strict social contract. Anarchy is not the same as bedlam because most people want to live in peace. Those who break the social contract do not simply get away with it because there are no laws. There are still repercussions. Those in their community will recognize that they are a threat to their way of life and will respond accordingly.

***Wil*** · #26 10-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Traditional Mudokon society was tribal. We've seen the burial grounds of two particular tribes, the Mudomo and Mudanchee. Other structures and areas we've seen may have belonged to other tribes, but since most of these tribes have died out, modern Mudokons probably have little more information on them than we do. Suffice it to say that not all tribes were peaceful with each other, as tribes are wont to be.

The current state of Mudokon society is just as unclear, although we've so far seen the inhabitants of villages and holy retreats working with a central intelligence, if you can call Abe that, for the good of their whole race. Larger scale organization of the species, particularly including the offspring of Mudokon queens other than Sam, is probably next to nothing given the disorganization and disarray they'll be in. Over time, Abe will encounter more far-flung populations who will be able to contribute their resources and culture to the emerging Mudokon society, but I suspect the Quintology will be following more closely their spiritual evolution over their internal politics.

Sorry to be on-topic.

Bullet Magnet · #27 10-11-2010, 03:54 PM

I'm going to start a communist mudokon faction, and an erythrophobic McCarthy mudokon faction, and then we'll see what happens.

Dipstikk · #28 10-11-2010, 04:32 PM

SOCIALISM SOCIALISM OOGA BOOGA BOOGA

MeechMunchie · #29 10-11-2010, 11:49 PM

Communism ≠ Totalitarianism.

Just so those people know.

Stranger4002 · #30 10-12-2010, 08:10 AM

Oddworld does have some significant political overtones; however, I feel the message their trying to get across is too halt the oppression of the industrial world and be free...not to ebolish social classes or states. And personally; from what I've seen in the Oddworld games, there are forms of social class in both the native world and the industrial world.