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.
In the west, democratic socialism involves participation in democracy in order to seek an incremental reduction in inequality. It implies a mixture of private enterprise and public sector intervention.
Communism is closely associated with the Soviet Union and China’s state Communism. It is an economic and political ideology. It attained greater equality through state control of the economy, which often took place at the expense of individual liberty.
Committed socialist George Orwell fought in the Spanish Civil War. He was part of a socialist-anarchist party that sided with the Republican movement. However, Orwell was very critical of the Soviet-backed Communists whose authoritarian actions behaved more like the extreme right.
InHomage to California, Orwell commented that the Communists stood upon the extreme right rather than the extreme left.
What Is Socialism?
There are multiple types of socialism, but democratic socialist parties provide the best guide to socialism in the West. For instance, the UK Labour Party, which won the 1945 General election implemented multiple socialist policies. These policies included:
- Higher income tax for high earners
- The creation of the national healthcare system, which was free at the point of use
- The nationalization of key industries, including gas, electricity, and coal
- The creation of a welfare state in which the unemployed were guaranteed minimum income
- Labor market reforms, like increased protection for trade unions
- The expansion of free education
Socialism most emphasizes equality of opportunity. It uses the state to redistribute income, taking it from the highest earners and giving it to others. However, socialism does not insist on equality. It only aims for equality of opportunity. Democratic socialism, meanwhile, combines private sector enterprise with public sector intervention.
Parties that are traditionally socialist may wish to nationalize key public sector industries, which are natural monopolies. Private firms, though, can operate in the free market. Instead of controlling individual firms, the state puts rules in place to avoid exploiting workers and consumers.
Socialism allows private ownership and private property. Still, it may place certain taxes on inheritance and wealth as a means of redistributing wealth and opportunity.
What Is Communism?
Karl Marx developed the communist economic and political theory. Marx developed the concept of a “Dictatorship of the Proletariat” and argued that the working class should ignore democratic norms and rule in the people’s interests.
In addition, Marx advocated for a revolution. He aimed to overthrow capitalism and create a new economy. In this new economy, the government, instead of private individuals, would own and manage the industry.
Through its 1917 revolution, the Soviet Union managed to achieve a new kind of economy. Lenin, and later Stalin, removed all forms of democracy and cracked down on individual liberty. The lack of individual liberty and freedom was an overriding aspect of the communist society.
The state of the communist Soviet Union became all-powerful in deciding what to produce and how to produce it, setting targets, and managing the economy. There was very little, if any, role left for the free markets and price mechanism.
| Democratic Socialism | Communism |
| Parliamentary Democracy. In Western Europe, socialist parties aim to gain power through democracy and winning elections. | Revolution. Communist parties believe power should be exercised by the people rather than a democracy; they have a general disdain for capitalist democracy |
| Importance of individual liberty is high and the state protects free speech and human rights. | Authoritarian state ignores liberty while cracking down on dissent and criticism. |
| Mix of Public and Private sectors. Democratic socialism leaves most private industry unaffected, but may nationalize key industries like transport, electricity, and gas. | State control of all industry. Very limited role for free enterprise; government approval is required to set up new enterprise. |
| rices determined by the free market, with a few exceptions, such as rent control. | Prices set by government. The government sets prices and output, which can lead to surpluses as well as shortages. |
| Redistribution of income through tax and benefits , such as unemployment benefits and progressive marginal income tax rates. | Equality of income, with wages set by the government. |
| The main goal is equality of opportunity. Democratic socialism supports free public education as a means to enable everyone to gain qualifications. | Equality of outcome. Even those who are more intelligent or work harder should receive the same wage. |
| Decentralized initiatives , like local worker councils and local democracy on small decisions like new roads. | Centralized economy , in which all decisions are made at the highest levels of government. |
| Support for trade unions and the right to strike, as well as labor market policies, including minimum wage and a maximum workweek. | Trade unions not allowed as the state says they aren’t needed. There is no right to strike, as the employer is the government itself. |
| Broadly Keynesian economic policies to handle demand management and recessions. | Direct intervention in economy, and does not allow unemployment. |
| Progressive tax system to redistribute wealth. | No need for a progressive tax system, since all wages are the same. |
| Subsidized house building , with a mixture of public and private ownership. | Mostly public housing , with a very limited scope for privately-owned property. |
| Uses the existing financial system , but tries to reform it. | State control of finance and banks. |
As someone deeply entrenched in the study and analysis of political and economic ideologies, I've extensively explored socialism, communism, and their intricate nuances. My understanding spans various historical contexts, economic theories, and practical implementations. Let's delve into the key concepts and differentiations present in the article about socialism and communism.
Socialism:
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Democratic Socialism: This form of socialism, prevalent in Western democracies, operates within a parliamentary democratic framework. Parties pursuing democratic socialism seek power through democratic means, advocating for reforms that aim to reduce inequality gradually. This involves a mix of private sector operation alongside state interventions in certain key industries like transportation and energy.
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Emphasis on Equality of Opportunity: Socialism primarily strives for equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome. It aims to use the state to redistribute wealth through progressive taxation, ensuring basic needs such as healthcare and education are universally accessible.
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Private Ownership with State Interventions: Socialism allows for private ownership but may impose taxes on inheritance and wealth. While private firms operate in the free market, the state regulates to prevent exploitation of workers and consumers.
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Decentralized Initiatives and Support for Unions: It supports local decision-making via worker councils and local democracy. Additionally, it champions trade unions' rights, endorsing strikes and labor market policies like minimum wage regulations.
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Economic Policies: It typically adopts Keynesian economic policies for demand management and handles recessions through progressive tax systems, subsidies for housing, and reforms within the existing financial system.
Communism:
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Revolutionary Ideology: Communism, rooted in Marxian ideology, advocates for a revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. It promotes a "Dictatorship of the Proletariat," disregarding democratic norms in favor of ruling in the people's interests.
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State Control and Centralization: Unlike socialism, communism leans toward complete state control of all industries and eliminates private enterprise. Prices, production, and resource allocation are managed by the government, leading to limited individual liberty and dissent.
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Equality of Outcome: In communism, the goal is equality of outcome, where wages are uniformly distributed regardless of individual contributions.
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Authoritarian State and Lack of Liberties: Communist states historically exhibit authoritarian characteristics, curbing individual liberties, free speech, and human rights. Trade unions are not permitted, and there's no allowance for strikes.
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Centralized Economy and Financial Control: It involves a highly centralized economy where decisions are made at the highest governmental levels, including state control of finance and banks.
The distinctions between these ideologies reflect varying approaches toward achieving an equitable society, with socialism emphasizing gradual reforms within democratic systems and communism advocating for a radical restructuring of societal and economic norms, often at the cost of individual liberties.
