Communism

Definition

Communism is a socio-economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned, eliminating private property and promoting communal ownership. This system aims to achieve equality and eliminate the exploitation of labor by capitalists, often through revolutionary means as envisioned by its founder, Karl Marx. Central to this ideology is the belief in the eventual overthrow of capitalist systems, leading to a stateless and classless society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism originated from the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, particularly in 'The Communist Manifesto' published in 1848.
2. The theory posits that all historical development is driven by class struggles, ultimately leading to the triumph of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie.
3. Communist revolutions aimed to dismantle capitalism through various means, including armed struggle, as seen in Russia with the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
4. Under communism, the state is expected to wither away after achieving its goals, leading to a society without classes or government oversight.
5. Real-world applications of communism often led to authoritarian regimes that conflicted with Marx's original vision of a democratic and liberated society.

Review Questions

• How does communism conceptualize class struggle and its role in societal change?
  • Communism sees class struggle as the driving force behind historical development, asserting that societal changes occur due to conflicts between classes. In this framework, the proletariat (working class) must rise against the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) to overthrow capitalist systems. This revolution is necessary for establishing a classless society where wealth and power are equally distributed among all people.
• Discuss the implications of communism on property ownership and economic structures compared to capitalism.
  • Communism advocates for collective ownership of all means of production, contrasting sharply with capitalism's foundation on private property and individual profit. In a communist system, private ownership is abolished, aiming instead for resources and industries to be managed collectively for the benefit of everyone. This shift is intended to eliminate exploitation and inequality inherent in capitalist economies.
• Evaluate how various implementations of communism have deviated from Marxist ideology and the consequences of these deviations.
  • Many real-world applications of communism, such as those seen in the Soviet Union or China, have diverged significantly from Marx's original ideas. Rather than leading to a stateless and classless society, these implementations often resulted in authoritarian regimes that suppressed individual freedoms and dissent. The concentration of power in a ruling party contradicted the democratic ideals proposed by Marx, leading to widespread economic inefficiencies and societal oppression, highlighting a significant gap between theoretical communism and its practical applications.

Related terms

Proletariat: The working class who, according to Marxist theory, must overthrow the bourgeoisie to establish a communist society.

Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class who own the means of production and are viewed as oppressors of the proletariat in Marxist theory.

Marxism-Leninism: A political theory that combines Marxist ideas with Lenin's strategies for revolution and governance, emphasizing a vanguard party to lead the proletarian revolution.