What is the difference between communism and socialism? Here is a guide with the main similarities, differences and characteristics of these two movements.
Socialism and Communism: Introduction
Communism and socialism both arose in the context of the industrial revolution and largely as a response to a time when entrepreneurs were becoming extremely wealthy by exploiting their workers. Through various processes, both philosophies saw the current situation as unsustainable and eventually through social pressures drastic changes occurred. Contrary to what many would think, there has never been a purely communist state since the philosophy was created. The Soviet Union , China, Vietnam, Cuba and North Korea are the closest examples, although none of them have fully achieved (or have yet achieved) a purely communist structure.
Similarly, socialism has never been fully adopted in any country since the philosophy was created. Some countries like Norway, Sweden, France, and Canada have many socialist policies (such as free healthcare and a dominant government role in many shared services) but still have very strong capitalist structures and traditions. Let’s see the difference between communism and socialism .
The compensations
The fundamental difference is that:
- Under communism individuals are provided for or compensated according to their needs ;
- The centrality of socialism is that individuals are compensated according to their individual contributions , so people who work harder or smarter will receive more than those who contribute nothing.
This difference highlights a key flaw in the communist model, where no one has any motivation to work harder or smarter as it would have no impact or benefit.
The property
Communism regards all property as public and de facto ; there is no personal property or objects owned by individuals. In socialism, however, all industrial and productive capacity would be owned and managed jointly by the government .
- Socialism is at the heart of an economic philosophy;
- Communism is economic and political in its demands.
The religion
Communism rejects any religion that it effectively abolishes . Freedom of religion is permitted in socialism , although some interpretations consider this to be a promotion of secularism in its nature (even if religion is not actually prohibited).
Social Classes in Communism and Socialism
Communism sees the complete abolition of class distinctions as everyone is treated equally. Socialism sees a decrease in them , but class distinctions would still exist as there is the ability for some to gain more wealth than others.
The capital
Communism sees the transition from capitalism as a violent revolution in which the existing system is effectively destroyed, as workers rise up against the upper and middle classes.
Socialism instead sees a gradual transition from capitalism through legal and political processes that see everyone treated equally at birth. People would still have the ability to excel and enter the equivalent of the middle class , but their children would have to work as hard as they did to achieve the same outcome.
