Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled collectively, eliminating private property. It emerged as a response to the inequalities generated by industrial capitalism, seeking to create a system where wealth and resources are distributed according to need.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly after the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the Bolsheviks seized power and established the world's first communist state.
2. The ideology was influenced by Marxist principles, which argued that history is driven by class struggles and that capitalism would inevitably lead to its own demise, paving the way for communism.
3. During the Cold War, communism became a major ideological rival to capitalism, leading to global tensions between communist and non-communist nations, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union.
4. Countries that adopted communist systems often experienced significant state control over their economies, with central planning replacing market mechanisms, which sometimes led to inefficiencies and shortages.
5. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a significant decline in communist influence globally, leading many countries to transition towards market economies and democratic governance.

Review Questions

• How did communism emerge as a response to industrialization, and what were its core principles?
  • Communism emerged as a reaction to the social inequalities and exploitation that arose from industrial capitalism. Its core principles include the abolition of private property, collective ownership of the means of production, and the establishment of a classless society. As industrialization created a stark divide between the wealthy capitalists and impoverished workers, communists aimed to address these disparities by advocating for social and economic reforms that would benefit the working class.
• Discuss the impact of communism on global conflicts during the 20th century, particularly during the Cold War.
  • During the Cold War, communism significantly influenced global conflicts as it represented an ideological battle against capitalism. The rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union led to proxy wars in various regions, such as Korea and Vietnam, where both powers sought to expand their influence. This ideological struggle not only shaped military alliances but also affected domestic policies in many nations as they aligned themselves with either capitalist or communist ideologies.
• Evaluate how advances in technology after 1900 impacted both the spread of communism and its effectiveness in governing nations.
  • Advances in technology after 1900 played a crucial role in spreading communism through improved communication methods, such as radio and later television, which allowed for the dissemination of revolutionary ideas. However, these technologies also exposed inefficiencies within communist regimes by enabling citizens to compare their living conditions with those in capitalist societies. While technology facilitated propaganda efforts for communist governments, it also highlighted failures in governance, ultimately contributing to discontent and calls for reform within those nations.

Related terms

Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that serves as the foundation for communist ideology, focusing on class struggle and the eventual establishment of a classless society.

Proletariat:

The working class in a capitalist society, who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive; in communist ideology, they are seen as the agents of revolutionary change.

Bolshevism: A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party led by Vladimir Lenin that advocated for a vanguard party to lead the working class in revolution and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat.