Thread: Communism vs. Socialism

I am confused about the differences between the two forms? Could somebody please provide a layman's explanation?

Communism is basically a more extreme form of Socialism. Communists believe that all property should be owned by the government on behalf of the people. In Commmunism everyone should produce according to their capability and receive according to their needs. Communism is almost universally regarded as being unworkable.
Socialism, commonly confused with Communism, is the belief that the state has a responsibility to reduce wealth disparity between people and prevent any citizen suffering neglect. It is extremely inefficient and unfair but, unlike Communism, it can continue operating indefinitely.

So, ideas such as welfare and national healthcare could be thought of as borrowing socialistic concepts, no?

Originally Posted by SOLUS

So, ideas such as welfare and national healthcare could be thought of as borrowing socialistic concepts, no?

Most definitely! But if you think about it logically they are negative things, no?

Depends on one's perspective. Welfare can be used in good ways, but we must break the cycle of welfare-dependancy.

Communism is an economic theory only. Socialism is a political theory. In exactly the same way that Capitalsim is strictly an economic theory and Liberalism is a political theory.

Communism gives economic control to the government.
Socialism gives political control to the government
Capitalism gives economic control to the individual
Liberalism gives political control to the individual

People very, VERY often misuse the word Liberalism in the US, and in the US alone. The word is misused as a synonim for socialism, which is actually correctly known as its exact opposite in every other place on earth. The misuse is so common that if you are American you may have to adapt to using it that way in order to communicate.

What the rest of the world calls liberalism is called libertarianism in the US as a way for its followers to not be incorrectly associated with socialists - their exact opposite.

Whew!

Homework due on Friday. 3 pages on why Republicans are socialsts and Democrats are just plain nuts.

Communism is an economic theory only. Socialism is a political theory. In exactly the same way that Capitalsim is strictly an economic theory and Liberalism is a political theory.

Communism gives economic control to the government.
Socialism gives political control to the government
Capitalism gives economic control to the individual
Liberalism gives political control to the individual

People very, VERY often misuse the word Liberalism in the US, and in the US alone. The word is misused as a synonim for socialism, which is actually correctly known as its exact opposite in every other place on earth. The misuse is so common that if you are American you may have to adapt to using it that way in order to communicate.

What the rest of the world calls liberalism is called libertarianism in the US as a way for its followers to not be incorrectly associated with socialists - their exact opposite.

Whew!

Homework due on Friday. 3 pages on why Republicans are socialsts and Democrats are just plain nuts.

Originally Posted by Dr.Knuckles

Communism is an economic theory only. Socialism is a political theory. In exactly the same way that Capitalsim is strictly an economic theory and Liberalism is a political theory.

Communism gives economic control to the government.
Socialism gives political control to the government
Capitalism gives economic control to the individual
Liberalism gives political control to the individual

People very, VERY often misuse the word Liberalism in the US, and in the US alone. The word is misused as a synonim for socialism, which is actually correctly known as its exact opposite in every other place on earth. The misuse is so common that if you are American you may have to adapt to using it that way in order to communicate.

What the rest of the world calls liberalism is called libertarianism in the US as a way for its followers to not be incorrectly associated with socialists - their exact opposite.

Whew!

Homework due on Friday. 3 pages on why Republicans are socialsts and Democrats are just plain nuts.

Knuckles, I love you. Something I've been trying to get across to people for two weeks now, and YOU'RE the only one who understands it; without me having to tell you. Ergo, you can think for yourself. YAY KNUCKLES!

Although, I think you made one mistake. Communism (supposedly) has nothing to do with government. According to Communists, the huge mega-state will suddenly give up all of it's power and leave everyone in a happy happy stateless environment.

People are saints like that, you know.

Communism is basically a more extreme form of Socialism.

Correct.

Communists believe that all property should be owned by the government on behalf of the people.

That's incorrect socialists believe that resources and property should begin to be nationalized in the hands of a governing body of the people while a large percentage of the property still remains private (take Venezuela for instance).

Communism takes this process further and determines that all property should be public and owned by the working class as a whole (working class councils begin to replace what was once singular governing body with many different councils or "Soviets" that represent a particular area).

The end result being emancipation and complete working class control over the means of production.

In Commmunism everyone should produce according to their capability and receive according to their needs.

Correct.

Communism is almost universally regarded as being unworkable.

This is mainly due to refusal to follow Marxist communism instead many nations have chosen the model of the Soviet Union which started to become obsolete after the mid 50's.

Socialism, commonly confused with Communism, is the belief that the state has a responsibility to reduce wealth disparity between people and prevent any citizen suffering neglect.

Correct.

it is extremely inefficient and unfair

:laughing:

Originally Posted by Dr.Knuckles

Communism gives economic control to the government.
Socialism gives political control to the government
Capitalism gives economic control to the individual
Liberalism gives political control to the individual

Well said. I'd add to this thread if I could, but this about sums it up right here.