China is one of the few remaining Communist countries. The Communist Party of China is the founding and sole governing political party of the People's Republic of China. Vietnam, also known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is also one of the four remaining Communist countries. In Vietnam's third constitution, written in 1980, the Communist Party was stated as the only party to represent the people and lead the country.
Cuba is currently a communist country. Cuba is ruled by the Communist Party of Cuba, whose role is described in the Cuban constitution as the "leading force of society of the state." The Communist Party of Cuba adheres more strictly to the tradition of Marxism-Leninism and the Soviet model than the communist parties of other countries. Laos, or the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is one of the remaining communist countries. The country's only political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, whose general secretary, Bounnhang Vorachith, is also the president.
North Korea is considered a Communist country; however, it does not consider itself one. North Korea is a "dictatorship of people's democracy." After the Soviet Union collapsed, North Korea revised its constitution to remove all references to Marxism-Leninism. All references to communism were removed from the North Korean Constitution in 2009. Cambodia was a communist state under the rule of the Khmer Rouge, which took over in 1970. Cambodia became a constitutional monarchy in 1993 with a king as head of state, a prime minister as head of government, and a parliamentary form of government.
Is Russia a communist country?
Technically, Russia today is a "multi-party representative democracy." In fact, experts are even split as to whether Russia's former state, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.), was a communist, socialist, or "state capitalist" government. At any rate, Russia's 1993 constitution declared the country a democratic, federative, law-based state with a republican government. Russia has a dual executive consisting of a president and prime minister with the president, currently Vladimir Putin, as the dominant figure.
That said, few would argue that Russia is a truly free democracy, given the current administration's habit of jailing (or eliminating) political opponents, prohibiting a free press, preventing fair elections, and amending the constitution to enable Putin to remain in power until 2036 (the previous constitution would have required him to step down when his current term expires in 2024).
Capitalism vs. Communism
What are the significant differences between capitalism and communism? The largest difference is economic. Capitalism is an economic system involving free trade and industry that is owned and controlled by individuals, with the goal of making a profit for those same individuals. Wealth distribution is unequal. Every person needs to work for themselves to generate wealth.
Unlike capitalism, communism does not allow private ownership of trade or industry. Instead, profit-making enterprises have common ownership, which is to say they are owned by the community (in practice, this means the government). As in capitalism, all profits earned by the enterprise go to the owner—but in the case of communism, because the owner is all of the people, the profits are distributed among all the people. This is an egalitarian system, in which all people are equal and receive equal rights and opportunities. This is the theory. In real-world applications, as previously noted, capitalist elements are difficult to completely remove and the distribution of profits tends to be less balanced.
A second big difference between capitalism and communism is the level of control granted to the government. Capitalism favors a democratic system in which the government has very little influence over an individual's personal and economic freedoms. Communism, on the other hand, endorses a totalitarian government that is deeply involved in many aspects of life, from the price of goods to the salary one earns. This is one of the main reasons western countries dislike communism.
The Foundation of Communism
A true communist country is governed by a single party, and the foundation of the ruling leaders' decisions is based on the philosophies of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, two philosophers from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Karl Marx
Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818. Born in Germany, Marx grew up to become a philosopher who based his beliefs on economics, history, journalism, political theory, revolutions, and sociology. He established a way of thinking known as Marxism. At its core, Marxism advocates for the working class of an economy. It zeroes in on the differences between classes and how those differences impact the functioning of a society. Marx viewed capitalism as the source of many problems, including lower wages, heightened selfish behaviors, and greed surrounding wealth, as well as the ever-present emphasis on productivity in capitalist societies.
Through Marxism's lens, the political agenda that communism promotes is seen as a form of socialism. The two phases of communism, as identified by Marx, explain how communism unfolds and becomes regularly practiced in a country. The two phases identified by Marx are capitalism and socialism. Marx suggested that the end goal of this two-step process is a country that operates under communist ideologies, but that countries must understand capitalism before moving onto the elevated state that communism provides.
For example, if the understanding that people need to be paid based on the quality and quantity of their work is not already deeply ingrained in a society, then too many people would act selfishly and seek success for themselves at the expense of everyone else. Once the basics have been instilled, the country will be able to enter the second phase: fully-realized communism, in which equality is a universal goal of all people and class divisions and government are no longer needed.
Vladimir Lenin
Born on April 22, 1870, Vladimir Lenin followed in Marx's footsteps and crafted political theories based upon his observations about the state of the world. Lenin did not have identical beliefs to Karl Marx, but his ideologies were similarly rooted in communism and greatly resemble those of Marx.
Leninism goes so far as to proclaim that socialism can only be achieved once the working class reaches a level of political consciousness that government officials withhold. Under Leninist beliefs, the working class can only overthrow the government and successfully instill socialism once the people understand how the government works. The basic idea is to get inside the heads of government officials, figure out how they operate, and devise ways to unravel their power.
When Marxism and Leninism Combine
Under the combined political theory of Marxism and Leninism, the concept of private property and an economy centered on profits are replaced with public ownership and shared earnings. Communal control of both natural resources and the means of production are also characteristics of communism. This includes open access to mills, factories, and mines, to name a few sources of production. While the Soviet Union's economy was arguably communist (and arguably state capitalism, a closely related concept), it was also inefficient, which led to the country's collapse into 15 smaller countries in the early 1990s.
List of countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Estonia
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Moldova
- Russia*
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
*Russia is generally recognized as the successor to the U.S.S.R., and assumed the former country's political appointments (such as to the United Nations), debts, and owned territories.
Communism in the post-WWII era:
As World War II came to an end, many European countries allied with one of two international groups, based on the political ideologies they supported. Some countries supported democratic capitalist principles and joined what would eventually become the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Others supported communist ideologies (or were controlled by the U.S.S.R.) and joined the Soviet-controlled group that became known as the Eastern Bloc.
Countries of the Eastern Bloc circa 1950**:
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia)
- East Germany
- Hungary
- Mongolia
- Poland
- Romania
- Soviet Union
**Several additional countries would ally themselves with the Eastern Bloc later, including Cuba, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Angola, and North Korea
Other former communist countries:
Additional Asian, Middle Eastern, and African countries that were once communist include:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Benin
- Cambodia
- The Democratic Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Somalia
- Yemen
FAQs
Today, the existing communist states in the world are in China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea (DPRK). These communist states often do not claim to have achieved socialism or communism in their countries but to be building and working toward the establishment of socialism in their countries.
Has communism ever been successful? ›
Although Marxist theory suggested that the places ripest for social revolution, either through peaceful transition or by force of arms, were industrial societies, communism was mostly successful in underdeveloped countries with endemic poverty such as the Russian Empire and the Republic of China.
What would a communist country be like? ›
A communist society is characterized by common ownership of the means of production with free access to the articles of consumption and is classless, stateless, and moneyless, implying the end of the exploitation of labour.
What are the horrors of communism? ›
Crimes against humanity under communist regimes occurred during the 20th century, including forced deportations, massacres, torture, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, terror, ethnic cleansing, and enslavement, as well as deliberate starvation of people (during the Holodomor and the Great Leap Forward).
What are the five socialist countries? ›
Marxist–Leninist states
| Country | Since | Party |
|---|
| People's Republic of China | 1 October 1949 | Communist Party of China |
| Republic of Cuba | 24 February 1976 | Communist Party of Cuba |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic | 2 December 1975 | Lao People's Revolutionary Party |
| Socialist Republic of Vietnam | 2 September 1945 | Communist Party of Vietnam |
A portrait of Karl Marx on the wall of the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Communism has been phased out in North Korean politics and replaced with Juche.
Why communism is better than capitalism? ›
Because the government owns all means of production, the government can provide jobs for at least a majority of the people. Everyone in a communist country is given enough work opportunities to live and survive. Every citizen, however, must do his or her part for the economy to receive pay and other work benefits.
Are there any benefits to communism? ›
List of the Advantages of Communism
- It reduces the impact of socioeconomic differences in society. ...
- People start life off with the same opportunities. ...
- Employment opportunities abound in Communism structures. ...
- Educational opportunities increase during Communist rule. ...
- It creates a stronger social community.
It embodies equality.
In a communist society, everybody is equal and no one is left alone. That is, no social class is better than the other because there is no social class system at all. All the resources of a country like property are under the control of the state and governed by a group that represents the masses.
What are 3 disadvantages of communism? ›
Disadvantages of Communism
- The government owns all the businesses and properties (the means of production).
- There is no freedom of speech.
- Large or geographically-broad populations tend to be diverse, making it difficult to maintain a common goal or set of rules for shared effort andresources.
Karl Marx
| Karl Marx FRSA |
|---|
| Born | Karl Heinrich Marx5 May 1818 Trier, Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 14 March 1883 (aged 64) London, England |
| Burial place | Tomb of Karl Marx, Highgate Cemetery |
| Nationality | Prussian (1818–1845) Stateless (after 1845) |
21 more rowsIn a Communist system, the central authority dictates the means and quantity of production, and places strict rules on businesses. Since there is no competition amongst firms, each is given the same amount of money and each worker is paid the same, with the same expectations of each.
What are 5 negatives of communism? ›
According to the critics, rule by communist parties has often led to totalitarianism, political repression, restrictions of human rights, poor economic performance, and cultural and artistic censorship.
What is an extreme fear of communism? ›
A Red Scare is the promotion of a widespread fear of a potential rise of communism, anarchism or other leftist ideologies by a society or state. The term is most often used to refer to two periods in the history of the United States which are referred to by this name.
Where is communism forbidden? ›
Indonesia is the one of the first countries in the world to ban communist symbols, not including the Axis countries during World War II.
What countries have failed socialism? ›
Critics of socialism cite the Soviet Union and Venezuela as examples of countries where socialism has failed.
Is the US a capitalist or socialist society? ›
The economy is controlled by individual people, not by the government. The United States is a capitalist, market economy.
Is Switzerland a socialist country? ›
Switzerland is a capitalist society generally, despite its democratic decision to keep several economic sectors under public control.
Does Japan have communism? ›
The Japanese Communist Party is generally regarded as the most progressive party in Japanese politics. The JCP has traditionally been opposed to the existence of the Imperial House since the pre-war days. However, the party changed its stance in 2004 by acknowledging the Emperor as Japan's head of state.
Is Cuba a communist? ›
Cuba is one of a few extant Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist states, in which the role of the vanguard Communist Party is enshrined in the Constitution. Cuba has an authoritarian regime where political opposition is not permitted.
The main difference is that under communism, most property and economic resources are owned and controlled by the state (rather than individual citizens); under socialism, all citizens share equally in economic resources as allocated by a democratically-elected government.
What is fascism vs communism? ›
Fascism. While communism is a system based around a theory of economic equality and advocates for a classless society, fascism is a nationalistic, top-down system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all-powerful dictator.
How is socialism better than communism? ›
Socialism and communism both place much value on creating a more equal society and removing class privilege. The biggest difference between them is that socialism is compatible with liberty and democracy, while communism depends on an authoritarian state to create an “equal society” that denies basic liberties.
Is Canada a capitalist country? ›
Canada is a capitalist country. Its economy is largely driven by private enterprise and the free market, including the laws of supply and demand. That being said, Canada (like all modern capitalist countries) does engage in some market regulation, which in this case does include some state-owned enterprises.
What do communists believe in? ›
Communist societies also promote the absence of private property and social classes, and ultimately money and the state. Communists often seek a voluntary state of self-governance but disagree on the means to this end.
Which type of economy best fits communism? ›
Command economies have been associated with communist nations whereas free-market economies have been associated with democracies. Command economy advantages include low levels of inequality and unemployment and the common objective of replacing profit with equality as the primary incentive of production.
What is the best feature of communism? ›
In conclusion, the features of communist society are as follows: economic planning through a centrally-controlled economy, distribution of resources based on need, social ownership of the means of production, and elimination of class distinctions.
What is communism in simple words? ›
Communism is a political and economic ideology that positions itself in opposition to liberal democracy and capitalism, advocating instead for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is nonexistent or severely curtailed.
What are the benefits of socialism? ›
Advantages of Socialism
The government manages the means of production, which ensures that there is fairness in resource utilization and distribution. Private enterprises are not allowed to exploit the means of production for their personal gains.
What's good about capitalism? ›
Capitalism, undoubtedly, is a major driver of innovation, wealth, and prosperity in the modern era. Competition and capital accumulation incentivize businesses to maximize efficiency, which allows investors to capitalize on that growth and consumers to enjoy lower prices on a wider range of goods.
Henri de Saint-Simon
Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon (1760–1825) was the founder of French socialism as well as modern theoretical socialism in general.
Which is more extreme socialism or communism? ›
While related, socialism and communism are different, Socialism, for instance, seeks to bring equality to the means of production to the working class. Communism takes this a step further and revolutionizes both aspects of production and consumption.
Is a Marxist a communist? ›
According to The Oxford Handbook of Karl Marx, "Marx used many terms to refer to a post-capitalist society—positive humanism, socialism, Communism, realm of free individuality, free association of producers, etc. He used these terms completely interchangeably.
What are the rich called in communism? ›
In communist writing, the bourgeoisie are the capitalist class, as opposed to the workers (the proletariat). Most people in the bourgeoisie would probably deny that they are, just like many very rich people would rather say they are middle class. Definitions of bourgeoisie.
Who owns the money in communism? ›
There is no government or private property or currency, and the wealth is divided among citizens equally or according to individual need. Many of communism's tenets derive from the works of German revolutionary Karl Marx, who (with Friedrich Engels) wrote The Communist Manifesto (1848).
Does communism have free economy? ›
No free market: The most significant disadvantage of communism stems from its elimination of the free market. The laws of supply and demand don't set prices—the government does.
What is a red threat? ›
Severe = Red. The higher the Threat Condition, the greater the risk of a terrorist attack. Risk includes both the probability of an attack occurring and its potential gravity. Threat Conditions shall be assigned by the Attorney General in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.
Why did the US fear the spread of communism? ›
The government has complete control over the production and distribution of goods. Americans are worried that the spread of Communism threatens their freedoms, their individuality, and their way of living.
What two spy cases increased fear of communism in the United States? ›
Two dramatic trials in New York convinced most Americans that Cold War concerns about Soviet espionage and subversion were fully justified. The convictions of Alger Hiss in 1950 and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1951 were, however, only the tip of an iceberg.
What is the Truman Doctrine about? ›
With the Truman Doctrine, President Harry S. Truman established that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces.
Today, the existing communist states in the world are in China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea (DPRK). These communist states often do not claim to have achieved socialism or communism in their countries but to be building and working toward the establishment of socialism in their countries.
Does communism allow privacy? ›
Egalitarian and public, communism doesn't grant a right to privacy, a possible threat to the greater good, to any individual unless the privacy provides benefit to society.
What is the symbol of the communist? ›
The hammer and sickle (Unicode: ☭) is a symbol meant to represent proletarian solidarity, a union between agricultural and industrial workers. It was first adopted during the Russian Revolution at the end of World War I, the hammer representing workers and the sickle representing the peasants.
Is the Vatican a communist? ›
While the Vatican had always officially opposed communism because of its atheism, Pope John Paul II lost no time in making his theological opposition into an active policy of confrontation.
Does Japan have a communist government? ›
The Japanese Communist Party is generally regarded as the most progressive party in Japanese politics. The JCP has traditionally been opposed to the existence of the Imperial House since the pre-war days. However, the party changed its stance in 2004 by acknowledging the Emperor as Japan's head of state.
When one country falls to communism they all will fall? ›
The domino theory was a Cold War policy that suggested a communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states, each falling like a row of dominos.
Is Vietnam a communist country? ›
Vietnam is a socialist republic with a one-party system led by the Communist Party. The CPV espouses Marxism–Leninism and Hồ Chí Minh Thought, the ideologies of the late Hồ Chí Minh. The two ideologies serve as guidance for the activities of the party and state.
Does the Catholic Church condemn socialism? ›
The 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church, also promulgated by Pope John Paul II, condemns socialism as an atheistic ideology. Paragraph 2425 states: "The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with 'communism' or 'socialism.
Does the Pope own a country? ›
1. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Encircled by a 2-mile border with Italy, Vatican City is an independent city-state that covers just over 100 acres, making it one-eighth the size of New York's Central Park. Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head.
Who is the Vatican owned by? ›
The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory. The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and the Holy See.
Bilateral Relationship
Japan and the United States are strong allies sharing fundamental values and strategic interests, with the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements at the core.
What are the largest communist parties in the world? ›
There are a number of communist parties around the world. In world history, the Russian and Chinese communists are very important. In Western Europe, the French, Spanish and Italian communist parties are the biggest. They have taken part in either local, regional or central government in those countries.
Does communism hurt the economy? ›
The economic and political system of Communism effectively dictates what can and cannot be done in the realm of business. There are defined limitations for the amount a business can produce and how much money it can earn.
What countries did the US fear would fall to communism? ›
In a meeting between Congressmen and State Department officials, Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson articulated what would later become known as the "domino theory." He stated that more was at stake than Greece and Turkey, for if those two key states should fall, communism would likely spread south to Iran and as far ...
Why are communist values disappearing? ›
How market conditions determine the price of a specific product. Communist values are disappearing because: Shortages abound due to the fact that the government cannot rely on good information.
Is Vietnam a US ally? ›
Vietnam and the United States are strong and growing partners, sharing the goal of an open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and peaceful Indo-Pacific. Addressing the legacies of war is a foundational element of the strong relationship between the United States and Vietnam.
How many Americans died in Vietnam? ›
The Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File of the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) Extract Files contains records of 58,220 U.S. military fatal casualties of the Vietnam War. These records were transferred into the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration in 2008.
Is Vietnam safe to visit now? ›
Vietnam - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Exercise normal precautions in Vietnam. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Vietnam.
