Socialism and Capitalism, Constitutions and Laws: Similarities — and Profound Differences

In October 2010, the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (RCP) published a pathbreaking "CONSTITUTION For The New Socialist Republic In North America (Draft Proposal)" based on Bob Avakian's new synthesis of communism. In his recent talk, "Birds Cannot Give Birth to Crocodiles, but Humanity Can Soar Beyond the Horizon," RCP Chairman Bob Avakian explores:

* Why laws and constitutions in any society are ultimately based on and must reflect the prevailing economic and social relations

* The similarities – and profound differences – between the constitutions of states ruled by exploiting classes (like the U.S.) which exist to maintain and further capitalism, and a socialist constitution which is a vehicle for the furtherance of liberation and the communist revolution.

* Why socialism requires continuing struggle against spontaneity, and why this necessitates the institutionalized leading role of the communist vanguard, embedded in the Constitution - even as this Constitution also embodies basic principles and "rules" which will apply to all members and institutions in society, including the communist vanguard

* The applicability and non-applicability in socialism of the "separation of powers" and "checks and balances," and what is the role of elections?

* The crucial role this Constitution can and must play in a radically new, socialist society that is uprooting all forms of oppression, while giving great scope to intellectual work, ferment, and dissent as integral to the complete emancipation of humanity.

Presentation & Discussed drawing from sections: "The Basic Nature, and the Constitution, of a Socialist State" and "Socialism and Capitalism, Constitutions and Laws: Similarities—and Profound Differences"(excerpted in Revolution # 229 and #230)