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Communism Socialism
Philosophy:From each according to his abiliy, to each according to his needs.From each according to his ability, to each according to his deeds.

While the word "socialism" is sometimes used interchangeably with "communism", the two are not the same - communism is an extreme form of socialism.

[edit] Economic differences between socialism and communism

In a Socialist economy, the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy. On the other hand, in a communist society, there is no centralized government - there is a collective ownership of property and the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

For a Capitalist society to evolve, the first step is Socialism. From a capitalist system, it is easier to achieve the Socialist ideal where production is distributed according to people's deeds (quantity and quality of work done). For Communism (to distribute production according to needs, it is necessary to first have production so high that there is enough for everyone's needs. In an ideal Communist society, people work not because they have to but because they want to and out of a sense of responsibility.

[edit] Political differences between socialists and communists

Socialism rejects a class-based society. But socialists believe that it is possible to make the transition from capitalism to socialism without a basic change in the character of the state. They hold this view because they do not think of the capitalist state as essentially an institution for the dictatorship of the capitalist class, but rather as a perfectly good piece of machinery which can be used in the interest of whichever class gets command of it. No need, then, for the working class in power to smash the old capitalist state apparatus and set up its own—the march to socialism can be made step by step within the framework of the democratic forms of the capitalist state. On the other hand, Communists believe that as soon as the working class and its allies are in a position to do so they must make a basic change in the character of the state; they must replace capitalist dictatorship over the working class with workers’ dictatorship over the capitalist class as the first step in the process by which the existence of capitalists as a class (but not as individuals) is ended and a classless society is eventually ushered in.

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Communism vs. Socialism - Chat Room
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Comments on Communism vs. Socialism
First, I agree with 72.130.165.0 on "all those "this is bullsh*t" and "this is dumb" people should be taken out and shot, or at least prevented from reproducing." good job on that, I say-if you have nothing substantial to offer shut your pie hole. Second, 206.113.136.253 your view is a little skewed here- "capitalism is worse than both" because," the rich have all the power" well allow me to retort. in socialism-which you say you prefer- Government has all the power. How does that help you gain "the power?" Which system do you think offers you a better chance? One where an all-powerful government tells you what to do and when and for how long, or you being able to chose your own path through a free-market system. You think that the rich screw the poor in your version of Capitalism, but you fail to realize that the poorest individual in the US is better off than any proletariat(look it up) from any Socialist/communist country you can name.
- by 98.219.54.147 on 2009-11-18 07:23:18
capitalism is worse than both, the rich have all the power, despite what you might think, the poor are fucked over by the rich people, the rich people in power give the other rich people more power and money. in socialism the poor and rich would be equal, the harder working poorer people would have a larger share, the people who in capitalism enherit their wealth would become poor because of their lack of skill and motivation. communism is unfair to all parties. i think i prefer socialism.
- by 206.113.136.253 on 2009-11-11 15:34:34
two things: One, all those "this is bullsh*t" and "this is dumb" people should be taken out and shot, or at least prevented from reproducing. That being said, both systems are based on the philosophy that man is basically good-and as overwhelming evidence shows-nothing based on that can ever be succesful.
- by 72.130.165.0 on 2009-11-10 04:31:40
Ugh, it's just that communism and socialism both sound great in theory but then when you try them in practice, both fail miserably. I can't figure which one Marx and Engels favored more, though. My textbook says they agreed with them both, but they're different when it comes to important issues. This is really frustrating.
- by 99.195.245.217 on 2009-11-08 03:54:49
Though communism utterly failed in the Soviet Union and was a horrible combination of Socialistic ideals. People should not throw out the idea of a state reformed with capitalist and socialist theories. Rather than communist a socialist combination. No form of government is perfect. We must continue to change and reform our countries, to try to prevent corruption and decay.
- by 216.145.71.9 on 2009-11-04 05:56:17
Very interesting, but more information could have been added. Like their impact on history.
- by 68.154.247.161 on 2009-11-04 03:34:26
this is fucking dumb
- by 208.1.217.193 on 2009-10-26 15:24:52
The first colony settled in America tried to use a socialistic approach to get through the first winter...........pooling their resources. The colony was all but wiped out, so they decided to use a capitalistic approach (personal responsibility) to get through the next winter ...........the survival rate was significantly higher. My elementary school teacher described socialism as everyone putting all of their wages in one basket and distributing it equally among everyone despite their contribution. Why would anyone become a doctor, engineer, or a steeple painter if they will receive the same as those that do little or nothing. Capitalism serves as the catalyst to making America the greatest country on earth. Europe has finally learned that socialism does not work and they are turning toward capitalism as we blog. Don't let democrats sell you on the virtues of socialism, or you will eventually lose your freedom and right to live the American dream.
- by 74.236.134.203 on 2009-10-20 01:24:40
I wish Americans would become more educated and less slaves to the false idea that everyone can be rich. It is entirely illogical and immoral.
- by 24.21.84.143 on 2009-10-12 23:05:18
- "Socialism is the down fall of all great society. Communism never really became reality in Russia it was more a combination of Socialism and very little Communism, and it still failed miserably. The only thing that works is Capitalism, with hard work and vision. If Capitalism was easy, it would be called Socialism! Nothing worth it, is easy. Its hard to make it. If it was easy, then anyone could do it, and it wouldn't be great, it would be nothing. And that is what you are going to get with Obama's health care when the money runs out fast! Nothing!" The above statement is flatly an uneducated one. The Soviet Union perverted communism. It wasn't really communist. It was a dictatorial socialist society that under Marx is against the very purpose of socialism. Marx says that socialism is by nature democratic. The Soviet Union feel for two primary reasons: 1) They overspent on their military while trying to provide needs to all of their people. You cannot have both.
- by 24.21.84.143 on 2009-10-12 23:03:39
this is an interesting topic but i would also like to know why in the dictionary socialism can be a synonym for communism too?
- by 99.63.70.130 on 2009-10-12 19:56:23
The average American couldn't tell you the difference between socialism and communism. They equate them as one and the same, mutually interchangeable. They have (in my opinion), either an unreasonable fear of both or such an unrealistic positive view that it almost borders on utopia. (a.k.a. Workers paradise etc.) I've lived in and/or have visited several "communist/socialist" countries. Some of them had some good points, but generally I've found them lacking in several areas. Capitalism will always have its' faults, but human nature, self-interest, and/or basic greed will almost always triumph over any chance of socialism/communism taking root in a democratic society. In my years of living in Eastern Europe, I've talked to a lot of people. I can count on one hand the individuals that admitted to believing in communism. The average citizen wasn't stupid. They could see past their government's controlled news media, and resented the restrictions and/or controls forced on their lives.
- by 98.232.28.187 on 2009-10-04 08:38:39
my mom is more interesting then this bull shit
- by 72.166.74.2 on 2009-09-23 17:23:07
this is bull shitt!
- by 72.166.74.2 on 2009-09-23 17:21:29
Socialism is the down fall of all great society. Communism never really became reality in Russia it was more a combination of Socialism and very little Communism, and it still failed miserably. The only thing that works is Capitalism, with hard work and vision. If Capitalism was easy, it would be called Socialism! Nothing worth it, is easy. Its hard to make it. If it was easy, then anyone could do it, and it wouldn't be great, it would be nothing. And that is what you are going to get with Obama's health care when the money runs out fast! Nothing!
- by 173.55.198.70 on 2009-09-10 06:28:48
Mankind are too unique to stay together to achieve the socialist or communism state... in the believe of common good.. even if we do, there are always culprits and con-men and greedy a$$holes and villains to abrupt this concept.. Capitalist with a Mixed economy with a concern for the people are the one which will work.. anyways, sorry for going out of topic.. buddy down there: this supposed to be Comm vs Socialism.. WTF.. how to VS if U can't/don't compare between them?!?!
- by 203.82.91.101 on 2009-08-07 20:31:25
Communism/socialism..........won't..........work. Both assume that people are somewhat homogeneous. They are not. Substantially different ambition, energy, work ethic, sense of duty and obligation, sense of right and wrong, willingness to share and be charitable, ability to perceive and/or care about a greater community purpose, etc. Factor in peoples emotions and a persons own sense of what constitutes fairness, and communism/socialism are both dead before they get out of the theory stage.
- by 64.149.83.180 on 2009-07-12 20:39:40
Any one system that all agree on will work. This is not achievable due simply in part to human nature. It is our nature to strive and succeed for a better life regardless what realm you are looking at. But there will always be those who take advantage and reap the benefits of anothers hard work. While it sounds really great in theory to give everybody this and that, not all are going to contribute and not all are going to agree. This is a fact, not a theory.If it were really possible to create a perfect society, whether it be communist, socialist or any other, why have a currency system at all? Afterall, we all agree to help each other. It cannot be done. Utopia would never last just as communism and socialism will never last without genocide to keep from having a revolution. We naturally want what we feel we deserve for the work done and to not have it given away. Having said all this, our system of not only democracy but also capitalism is not perfect either, but it allows change.
- by 158.35.225.227 on 2009-06-21 03:22:41
The muddling of definitions between communism and socialism is caused by frightened capitalists. They like to lump things together and confuse definitions so that one can just easily accept their view. Not to go on about capitalist rhetoric and more to the point, from what I understand Socialism is characterized by "each according to their ability", while Communism is characterized by "each according to their need". Both economic systems, as Socialism and Communism are only economic systems, are theorized to be most effective under two governmental systems: Pure Democracy and Anarchy. Any literature of Communist or Socialist character freely explains this. Research, not only Marx and Engles but alsos Rosa Luxemburg.
- by 67.220.17.89 on 2009-06-13 07:15:51
I believe that the main issues here are that the people, in either classification, socialism or communism, are no longer working on behalf of there own benefit. The reason we should care about this is that (and this is in really basic terms) there are some really lazy people out there. If working no longer benefits the individual, and the general population knows that they will be provided for regardless, where is the incentive to strive? If no one ever advances, why do well in your work? Communism frightens me because of potential lack of a central agency to enforce, and thereby protect. Socialism scares me because I think we can all count on one hand the politicians that actually have our best interests at heart. If they controlled everything, who is to say they would do right by the people? Everything sounds good during a campaign, but when the power is transferred, what happens?
- by 70.240.64.185 on 2009-05-20 01:12:48
Can someone explain it in English? I'm completely confused about the whole Communism/socialism thing. Is Socialism better than capitalism? Why is Socialism sometimes a synonym for communism? Why am I bothered about it all? Should I be bothered? I don't think i care anymore.
- by 93.96.183.70 on 2009-05-15 23:34:05
great in an article titled socialism vs communism u compare socialism and capitalism...wtf, stick 2 topic
- by 76.89.51.81 on 2009-05-02 15:51:19