6 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMMUNISM AND SOCIALISM - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The differences between communism and socialism are mainly political, economic and ideological. Communism and socialism are two currents and forms of political, economic and social organization that have tended to be confused in a common way over the years.

Although both have similar bases, they also have a large number of aspects that differentiate them. One thing is for sure: both are positions contrary to capitalism.

Communism had its origin in the thought of Karl Marx, during the height of the Industrial Revolution. Marx is also considered one of the main influences of socialism, in addition to Robert Owen, Pierre Leroux, George Bernard Shaw, etc.

Socialism is considered a more flexible and less extreme system than communism, with less propensity to be distorted during its application.

Communism, however, has been much better known for its application and historical endurance in nations such as Russia, China, and Cuba.

Despite their differences and the fact that they are essentially not the same, today there are nations that can present political systems of communist ideas and economic apparatuses with a socialist base.

Main differences between communism and socialism

Political differences

Although it could be said that both communism and socialism are born out of Marxist ideology, their political implications are different.

Both advocate the reduction or elimination of social classes, but only communism gives fundamental importance to the intervention and modification of state structures.

Communism is consolidated when the State puts into practice guidelines that allow the abolition of class society and private property, transferring the resources and means of production to civil society.

Socialism, on the other hand, can be manifested and put into practice without the need to intervene in the agencies and institutions of the State.

Socialism can be born within a capitalist system, and become stronger at different levels. Communism, on the other hand, aims to purify and eradicate any trace of the capitalist system at all its levels.

Economic differences

Socialism is essentially a system of social organization that is sustained by the economy, while communism has a greater influence on the political aspects.

The main difference in the economic aspect would be, in the case of socialism, the existence of a centralized government that takes possession and power of all resources and means of production, which is in charge of distributing them equitably in society.

In this way, goods are distributed according to the capacities and actions of civil society, therefore the government has a much clearer notion of distribution.

In this case, communism behaves differently, since it does not propose the existence of a government that is the ruler of the goods of the working class, and in view of the non-existence of private property in the communist scenario, a collective ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods and resources.

A communist society must guarantee a large amount of resources and goods to satisfy the needs of the population, making work a pleasant and responsible activity more than necessary.

Property and assets differences

Communism stands out for abolishing private property and denying its existence, considering it superseded by the implementation of public property and common goods.

Control over the goods and means of production would be carried out by the community and would never be subject to responding to individual interests.

Socialism, on the other hand, can distinguish between two types of property and goods. It recognizes personal property and assets, as everything that belongs to the individual and that he obtained through the fruit of his work.

As for the properties and assets that affect the production and sustenance of the economic system, these legally belong to the State, although they are controlled and managed by the community.

Differences of religion and belief

Communism rejects religion and any kind of metaphysical beliefs. Any communist state would formally be considered an atheist state.

However, in practice, although officially the state does not profess any religion, its citizens may have some freedom as to the faith they wish to profess.

In socialism it is more common for there to be freedom of cults and beliefs. Although due to its social and economic nature, there are studies that affirm that the socialist system promotes secularism, that is, a world view based on life and perceptions of the present, without devoting itself to a superior and immaterial being.

Differences of free will and social life

Although communism outlines that its system promotes collective participation in State decisions, through the manifestation of the popular vote, in practice the opposite has been demonstrated, condensing all power in a small group considered representative of the proletariat that conditions collective making decision-making through propaganda, submission and repression.

Socialism presents a structure with greater individual decision-making power, respecting certain social aspects at the civil level.

However, when it comes to decisions about the means and systems of production, the State and its conformed government have all the power of decision. Popular suffrage is limited to other aspects.

Ideological differences

Due to their theoretical origins, both currents are born steeped in a prevailing ideology. In the case of communism, it expresses a total rejection of the capitalist system, and its disappearance through communist imposition is set as an objective.

The ideological instruments of communism: disappearance of social classes, achieving equity between individuals; collective appropriation through State intervention and equitable distribution of all assets; work as the main responsibility of citizens towards the political and economic system.

Socialism advocates the need and importance of the individual to have access to all the resources, goods and basic services for their fulfillment and sustenance as a citizen in society; Large productive industries are the result of work between the State and citizens, thus guaranteeing that the resources and benefits produced can then benefit the participatory society.

References

1. Blackburn, R. (1994). After the fall: the failure of communism and the future of socialism. Mexico, DF: UNAM.
2. Durkheim, E. (1987). Socialism. Akal editions.
3. Heredia, FM (1989). Che, socialism and communism. Havana: House of the Americas.
4. Katz, C. (2004). Communism, socialism and transition, goals and foundations. Cuba: Rebellions.
5. Onfray, M. (2005). Antimanual of philosophy. Madrid: EDAF.