Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless system in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. In this system, the means of production are collectively owned, and wealth is distributed evenly among citizens, aiming to eliminate social classes and promote equality. The implications of communism shape the economic structures and governance in countries that adopt it, impacting political systems significantly.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism aims to eliminate private ownership of production, believing it leads to class disparities and exploitation.
2. The concept was notably implemented in the Soviet Union under leaders like Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, significantly influencing global politics during the 20th century.
3. In theory, communism seeks to create a stateless society where government structures dissolve as class distinctions vanish, but in practice, many communist states maintained strong centralized governments.
4. Communist economies typically emphasize central planning over market mechanisms, which often leads to inefficiencies and shortages due to lack of competition.
5. While the ideology is often associated with totalitarian regimes, true communism as envisioned by Marx has never been fully realized in any state.

Review Questions

• How does communism propose to address economic inequalities in society?
  • Communism addresses economic inequalities by advocating for collective ownership of property and means of production, eliminating private property altogether. This redistribution aims to ensure that all individuals have equal access to resources and wealth. By eliminating social classes, communism seeks to create a society where everyone contributes according to their abilities and receives according to their needs, thus promoting equality across all levels.
• Compare and contrast communism with socialism regarding ownership of resources and government structure.
  • While both communism and socialism advocate for collective ownership of resources, socialism allows for some degree of private ownership and market mechanisms within its framework. In socialism, the government may regulate industries but does not necessarily abolish all forms of private enterprise. Conversely, communism seeks complete abolition of private property and envisions a classless society where government structures eventually dissolve. This leads to stark differences in how these ideologies envision societal organization and governance.
• Evaluate the impact of historical communist regimes on global political dynamics during the 20th century.
  • Historical communist regimes, especially during the 20th century, profoundly shaped global political dynamics through ideological conflicts such as the Cold War. The establishment of the Soviet Union marked a significant shift in power balances, leading to direct confrontations with capitalist nations like the United States. These regimes influenced numerous countries around the world, inspiring revolutions and movements seeking similar changes. However, many communist states faced severe internal issues that raised questions about the viability of their systems, prompting widespread reevaluation of communist ideology globally.

Related terms

Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that serves as the foundation for communist ideology, emphasizing the struggle between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class).

Socialism: An economic and political system where the means of production are owned or regulated by the community as a whole, which can be seen as a precursor to communism that still allows for some degree of private ownership.

Class Struggle: The conflict between different classes in society, especially between the working class and the ruling class, which Marxists believe is a central element in societal development towards communism.