Even the term social studies alludes to how a community or wider society benefits from shared knowledge. Communism was first a French word, coined in the s, to describe a system of collective ownership in which individuals did not own private property and worked together for the benefit of all community members. This new French word described ideals similar to the English concept of socialism and derived from the word common , meaning something is free or open to everyone.
The word communism was adopted by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels in the s to describe their ideology of opposing industrial capitalism. Marxist communism sought the overthrow of governments supporting a capitalist economy. The combined economic and political ideology of modern communism was implemented in the Soviet Union , the People's Republic of China , North Korea , North Vietnam , and Cuba Today, the historical words capitalism , socialism , and communism do not fully capture the economic systems of nations.
New words are also used to describe economic systems: free market system ; mixed economy ; command economy. In recent years, communist China and Cuba have loosened economic restrictions and allowed free market activities. In other words, communism, socialism, and capitalism are a continuum, with modern national economics falling somewhere in the middle, or mixed, zone.
In American politics, those aligned to the right of the political spectrum are more likely to support free market policies, and those to the left are more likely to support government intervention in the economy.
Recent polls by the Pew Research Center demonstrate how the political alliances of Americans influence perceptions of these words. Ultimately, nations and citizens of nations must decide how much government regulation of the economy is appropriate.
Therefore, a clear understanding of the historical developments, meaning, political associations, and synonyms of these three words is essential in social studies. Individuals and private businesses also their own make their own economic decisions, keeping the profits and accepting the losses. Communism existed in the Soviet Union until its fall in Today, communism and socialism exist in China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos and Vietnam—although in reality, a purely communist state has never existed.
Such countries can be classified as communist because in all of them, the central government controls all aspects of the economic and political system. But none of them have achieved the elimination of personal property, money or class systems that the communist ideology requires. Likewise, no country in history has achieved a state of pure socialism.
Even countries that are considered by some people to be socialist states, like Norway, Sweden and Denmark, have successful capitalist sectors and follow policies that are largely aligned with social democracy. Many European and Latin American countries have adopted socialist programs such as free college tuition, universal health care and subsidized child care and even elected socialist leaders, with varying levels of success.
In the United States, socialism has not historically enjoyed as much success as a political movement. Its peak came in , when Socialist Party presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs won 6 percent of the vote. But at the same time, U. Democratic socialism, a growing U. Like communists, democratic socialists believe workers should control the bulk of the means of production, and not be subjected to the will of the free market and the capitalist classes.
But they believe their vision of socialism must be achieved through democratic processes, rather than revolution. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! History and Government Expert.
Robert Longley is a U. Facebook Facebook. Updated February 02, Communism vs. Socialism Attribute Communism Socialism Basic Philosophy From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution. Economy Planned By Central government Central government Ownership of Economic Resources All economic resources are publicly owned and controlled by the government.
Individuals hold no personal property or assets. Individuals own personal property but all industrial and production capacity is communally owned and managed by a democratically elected government. Distribution of Economic Production Production is intended to meet all basic human needs and is distributed to the people at no charge.
Production is intended to meet individual and societal needs and distributed according to individual ability and contribution. Class Distinction Class is abolished. The ability to earn more than other workers is almost nonexistent. Classes exist but differences are diminished. It is possible for some people to earn more than others. Religion Religion is effectively abolished. Freedom of religion is allowed. Featured Video. View Article Sources. Cite this Article Format. Longley, Robert.
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