Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology that aims for a classless society where all property is collectively owned, eliminating private ownership. In this system, the means of production are controlled by the state or the community, with the goal of achieving equality and fairness for all citizens. This ideology gained significant traction during the 19th and 20th centuries, influencing various social movements and political regimes worldwide.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to the inequalities of capitalism, particularly highlighted in Karl Marx's 'The Communist Manifesto' published in 1848.
2. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 in Russia was a significant event that brought communism to power, establishing the first communist state and influencing many other countries around the world.
3. Communist theory promotes the idea that history is driven by class struggle, leading to the eventual overthrow of capitalism and establishment of a stateless, classless society.
4. The practice of communism has varied greatly across different countries, with notable examples including Soviet Russia, Maoist China, and Cuba, each interpreting and implementing communist principles differently.
5. Despite its ideals of equality, many communist regimes have faced criticism for authoritarian governance and human rights violations in their efforts to maintain control and suppress dissent.

Review Questions

• How did Karl Marx's ideas contribute to the development of communism as a political ideology?
  • Karl Marx's ideas were fundamental in shaping communism as they provided a theoretical framework for understanding class struggle and economic systems. He argued that capitalism inherently leads to inequality between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. His writings, particularly 'The Communist Manifesto', called for revolutionary change and outlined a vision for a classless society where resources are shared equally among all people. This laid the groundwork for future communist movements around the world.
• Discuss the impact of the Bolshevik Revolution on global perceptions of communism and its implementation in various nations.
  • The Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 drastically changed global perceptions of communism by demonstrating its feasibility as a governing system. Following this event, many countries viewed communism as both a threat and an inspiration. It led to the establishment of communist regimes in several nations, such as China and Cuba, which adapted Marxist principles to their specific contexts. The success of the Bolsheviks encouraged other revolutionary movements while simultaneously inciting fear among capitalist nations about the spread of communism.
• Evaluate the successes and failures of communist states in achieving their ideological goals since the early 20th century.
  • Communist states have had mixed results in achieving their ideological goals. On one hand, some have made strides in improving literacy rates, healthcare access, and reducing economic inequality. However, many have faced significant failures related to economic inefficiencies, lack of political freedoms, and human rights abuses. The authoritarian nature of many communist regimes often contradicted their fundamental principles of equality and communal ownership, leading to widespread disillusionment. This duality highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in implementing communist ideals in practice.

Related terms

Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that forms the theoretical foundation for communism, advocating for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a classless society.

Socialism: An economic and political system where the means of production are owned or regulated by the community or government, often seen as a transitional stage toward communism.

Proletariat: The working class in a capitalist society, who, according to Marxist theory, would rise up against the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) to establish a communist society.