Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. It seeks to eliminate the capitalist class structure, aiming for an egalitarian society where resources and means of production are collectively controlled, thereby preventing the exploitation of workers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism emerged in the mid-19th century, largely influenced by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' 'The Communist Manifesto' published in 1848.
2. In practice, communist movements have often led to authoritarian regimes, where a single party controls the state, as seen in countries like the Soviet Union and China.
3. Communist theory argues that capitalism inherently leads to class conflict, which will eventually result in a proletarian revolution overthrowing the bourgeoisie.
4. In a communist society, traditional concepts of private property are abolished, with all means of production owned collectively or by the state.
5. The ultimate goal of communism is to create a stateless and classless society, but historical attempts have often resulted in strong centralized governments.

Review Questions

• How does communism propose to address the issues of class struggle within capitalist societies?
  • Communism addresses class struggle by advocating for the abolition of private property and establishing a system where resources are owned collectively. By eliminating the bourgeoisie who own the means of production, it seeks to empower the proletariat, allowing workers to gain control over their labor and its fruits. This transformation aims to create a classless society where exploitation is eradicated and everyone contributes according to their ability while receiving based on their needs.
• What are some historical examples of how communist ideology has been implemented, and what were the outcomes?
  • Communist ideology has been implemented in several countries, most notably in the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin, and in China under Mao Zedong. In these cases, while initial goals included industrialization and social equity, the outcomes often included authoritarian governance, widespread purges, and economic challenges. For instance, Stalin's policies led to famines and significant loss of life while maintaining strict political control. These examples highlight both the ambition of communist theory and its complex real-world consequences.
• Critically evaluate the long-term viability of communism as an economic system compared to capitalism.
  • The long-term viability of communism as an economic system faces significant challenges when compared to capitalism. While communism aims for equality and communal ownership, historical implementations have often resulted in inefficiency and lack of innovation due to centralized control. In contrast, capitalism fosters competition and encourages technological advancement but can lead to inequality. Analyzing these systems requires consideration of not only economic outcomes but also social impacts, individual freedoms, and adaptability to changing global dynamics.

Related terms

Marxism: A theory developed by Karl Marx that serves as the foundation for communist ideology, focusing on class struggle, the critique of capitalism, and the belief in a revolutionary path to a classless society.

Proletariat: The working class in a capitalist society who, according to communist theory, are exploited by the bourgeoisie or capitalist class and are essential for the revolutionary movement towards communism.

Bolshevism: A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that advocated for a revolutionary approach to achieving communism; they led the October Revolution in 1917 and established a communist government in Russia.