|
Communism vs. Socialism
Hello, I have a quick question that warrants a not-so-quick answer. What is the difference between Communism and Socialism? Every website I go to gives a different explanation. My AP Gov teacher explained Socialism as being Communism with natural rights, while a website told me Communism is a part of Socialism.
As a Commie, you'll probably be biased in your answer slightly, but it'll still probably be helpful. Thanks!
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Random Weirdos?
Popular culture likes to divide the two (And a third, Marxism) in to three separate ideals. They aren't really. The same popular culture likes to depict communism as a totalitarian state. It isn't (nessessarily). This is because most nations that call themselves "communist" are totalitarian states, but those same nations fall quite short of the admittedly lofty expectations of a communist state.
Karl Marx was a philosopher in the 19th century who, along with Friedrich Engels, wrote a book/essay entitled "The Communist Manifesto", which is considered something like The Bible for communism. The Communist Manifesto is available to read free on the internet in many places, and I highly recommend it if you're looking to learn more about the subject. His teachings are collectively refered to as "Marxism" and thought to be something seperate from both Socialism and Communism, which is silly since most Socialist and Communist movements are based on his works.
Socialism is described by Marx as a transitional period between Capitalism and true Communism. In modern times, the term is most often taken to refer to a socioeconomic system in which many factors of production are publicly owned (By the government), but private ownership is still allowed. Some examples of this include Scandonavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and The Netherlands.
(On a slightly unrelated note, those same socialist Scandonavian nations have higher literacy rates, lower infant mortality rates, lower unemployment rates, etc etc. Obviously, they're doing something right)
On the other hand, Communism is a socioeconomic system which takes socialism to the next step. Private ownership doesn't exist -- Everything belongs to everybody. A "government" in the traditional sense wouldn't exist, because everybody owns everything, everybody would be part of the "government". This in effect makes everyone equal, since there would be no more socioeconomic distinctions between people. If you're a Star Trek fan, think of the system of economics that is present on the show (Nerdy, I know, but an excellent example).
Obviously, nobody has managed to do this yet, and any nation who has claimed to has been lying. It requires a maturity and empathy that mankind hasn't quite been able to achieve yet. Still, I personally see it as an inevitabilty, so long as we keep moving forward and don't cling to what seperates and divides us.
I HOPE that answered your question. If not, I'll be more than happy to clerify anything.
]
More Questions: |