Communism vs Socialism – Difference and Comparison | Diffen
Philosophy From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Free-access to the articles of consumption is made possible by advances in technology that allow for super-abundance. From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution. Emphasis on profit being distributed among the society or workforce to complement individual wages/salaries. Ideas All people are the same and therefore classes make no sense. The government should own all means of production and land and also everything else. People should work for the government and the collective output should be redistributed equally. All individuals should have access to basic articles of consumption and public goods to allow for self-actualization. Large-scale industries are collective efforts and thus the returns from these industries must benefit society as a whole. Key Proponents Karl Marx, Fredrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky. Robert Owen, Pierre Leroux, Karl Marx, Fredrick Engels, John Stuart Mill, Albert Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, Thorstein Veblen, Emma Goldman. Key Elements Centralized government, planned economy, dictatorship of the "proletariat", common ownership of the tools of production, no private property. equality between genders and all people, international focus. Usually anti-democratic with a 1-party system. Economic activity and production especially are adjusted by the State to meet human needs and economic demands. "Production for use": useful goods and services are produced specifically for their usefulness. Political System A communist society is stateless, classless and is governed directly by the people. This however has never been practised. Can coexist with different political systems. Most socialists advocate participatory democracy, some (Social Democrats) advocate parliamentary democracy, and Marxist-Leninists advocate "Democratic centralism." Political Movements Leninism, Trotskyism, Marxism-Leninism, Maoism, Left-Communism, Stalinism. Democratic socialism, communism, libertarian socialism, social anarchism, and syndicalism. Private Property Abolished. The concept of property is negated and replaced with the concept of commons and ownership with "usership". Two kinds of property: Personal property, such as houses, clothing, etc. owned by the individual. Public property includes factories, and means of production owned by the State but with worker control. Economic Coordination Economic planning coordinates all decisions regarding investment, production and resource allocation. Planning is done in terms of physical units instead of money. Planned-socialism relies principally on planning to determine investment and production decisions. Planning may be centralized or decentralized. Market-socialism relies on markets for allocating capital to different socially-owned enterprises. Definition International theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, with actual ownership ascribed to the community or state. Rejection of free markets and extreme distrust of Capitalism in any form. A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of most property in common, with actual ownership ascribed to the workers. Religion Abolished - all religious and metaphysics is rejected. Freedom of religion, but usually promotes secularism. Ownership Structure The means of production are commonly-owned, meaning no entity or individual owns productive property. Importance is ascribed to "usership" over "ownership". The means of production are socially-owned with the surplus value produced accruing to either all of society (in Public-ownership models) or to all the employee-members of the enterprise (in Cooperative-ownership models). Social Structure All class distinctions are eliminated. Class distinctions are diminished. Status derived more from political distinctions than class distinctions. Some mobility. Economic System The means of production are held in common, negating the concept of ownership in capital goods. Production is organized to provide for human needs directly without any use for money. Communism is predicated upon a condition of material abundance. The means of production are owned by public enterprises or cooperatives, and individuals are compensated based on the principle of individual contribution. Production may variously be coordinated through either economic planning or markets. Free Choice Either the collective "vote" or the state's rulers make economic and political decisions for everyone else. In practice, rallies, force, propaganda etc. are used by the rulers to control the populace. Religion, jobs, & marriage are up to the individual. Compulsory education. Free, equal access to healthcare & education provided through a socialized system funded by taxation. Production decisions driven more by State decision than consumer demand. Discrimination In theory, all members of the state are considered equal. The people are considered equal; laws are made when necessary to protect people from discrimination. Immigration is often tightly controlled. Way of Change Government in a Communist-state is the agent of change rather than any market or desire on the part of consumers. Change by government can be swift or slow, depending on change in ideology or even whim. Workers in a socialist state are the nominal agent of change rather than any market or desire on the part of consumers. Change by the State on behalf of workers can be swift or slow, depending on change in ideology or even whim. Examples Ideally, there is no leader; the people govern directly. This has never been actually practiced, and has just used a one-party system. Examples 0f Communist states are the erstwhile Soviet Union, Cuba and North Korea. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR): although the actual categorization of the USSR's economic system is in dispute, it is often considered to be a form of centrally-planned socialism. Earliest Remnants Theorized by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels in the mid-19th century as an alternative to capitalism and feudalism, communism was not tried out until after the revolution in Russia in the early 1910s. In 1516, Thomas More write in "Utopia" about a society based around common ownership of property. In 1776, Adam Smith advocated the labor theory of value, ignoring the previous Cantillonian view that prices are derived from supply and demand.
See the article here:
Communism vs Socialism - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
- The Problem with Municipal Socialism: A Response to Liza Featherstone - Left Voice - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Siege and socialism: Photographer captures the consequences of sanctuary policy in the Twin Cities - Alpha News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Capitalism, Socialism, Democracy and the Return of History - outlookbusiness.com - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Fueled By "Rage And Socialism," New Helldivers 2 Cyborgs Will Roundhouse Kick Your Ass - GameSpot - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Trump Accounts will help reverse the tide of socialism - The Hill - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Corbyns anti-socialism, Sultanas reformism and the necessary revolutionary alternative - World Socialist Web Site - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Is socialism-oriented economy holding Nepal back? - kathmandupost.com - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Capitalism Improves Human Lives, Socialism Does the Opposite - The Daily Signal - February 2nd, 2026 [February 2nd, 2026]
- SCOOP: Trump administration rolls Trump Accounts out as "the antidote to socialism" - Washington Reporter - February 2nd, 2026 [February 2nd, 2026]
- Denouncing Socialism While Supporting It - oklahomaconstitution.com - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Columnist says socialism can't succeed anywhere amid Venezuelas political turmoil - Fox News - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Socialism: understanding the theory, the path, and the process - Communist Party USA - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- In Defense of Democratic Socialism and a Critique of Capitalism and Feudalism - Daily Kos - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- As capitalism hurtles to dictatorship and world war, young people must join the struggle for socialism! - World Socialist Web Site - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Trump Accounts touted as wealth-building tool for next generation, measure against socialism - Read Lion - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Koutsoumbas: The KKE will become strong, ready to answer the call of history, for socialism! - In Defense of Communism - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Scott Bessent on the 39% of young Americans thinking favorably of socialism: Theyre just not invested in the stock market - Fortune - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- David Kaufman: The rise of Mamdani socialism will come at the expense of Black people - National Post - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- In Defense of Private Property: Repelling the Rise of Socialism - Crisis Magazine - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Maoism offered as a bogus alternative to African Socialism and Pan-AfricanismPart Two - World Socialist Web Site - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Maoism offered as a bogus alternative to African Socialism and Pan-AfricanismPart 1 - World Socialist Web Site - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Stossel: Examining the myths and realities of socialism vs. capitalism - MSN - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Mamdanis warmth of collectivism. Tell me again that socialism isnt communism | Opinion - SILive.com - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Quote of the day by Ronald Reagan: Socialism only works in two places - The Economic Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- What is socialism and how it turned Venezuela into a living hell under Nicholas Maduro - WION - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- New York's Socialism Era Begins with Knicks Giving Tyrese Maxey Part Ownership of Madison Square Garden - Crossing Broad - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- This is the most vivid example of socialism destroying an economy: Venezuelan activist - Fox News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Dave Ramsey Says Belief That Becoming Wealthy Is 'Blind Luck' Is 'Moronic' And 'Demotivating' Thinks It 'Rolls Socialism In With A Red Carpet' -... - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- How to Mamdani-proof New York City and save it from socialism - The Hill - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Democratic Socialism Arrives In NY With Zohran Mamdani; He Promises To Govern Audaciously - IndiaWest - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Zohran, Greenlands Oceanic Socialism, and the Trump Economy - The American Prospect - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Fighting Trump With Socialism - FOX News Radio - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Franklin Graham attributes rising church attendance to young people's rejection of 'anti-God socialism' - Christian Post - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Socialism and its tendency to turn things that were once very normal into a luxury - Contando Estrelas - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- The Iron Lady saved England from socialism - kingfisherpress.net - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era receives high recognition from intl community: 2025 Global Survey on... - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Trump must reject housing socialism or face backlash at the ballot box - Washington Examiner - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Spain at a turning point: the decline of socialism and the rise of the far right - Atalayar - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- With All Eyes on NYC, Seattle Quietly Braces for Its Own Experiment with Socialism - National Review - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Editorial: President Trumps brand of socialism has no place in a revival of Americas nuclear power industry - Chicago Tribune - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Sen. Rick Scott Calls for Passage of Resolution Denouncing Socialism: Its the Antithesis of the American Dream - U.S. Senator Rick Scott (.gov) - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Seminar: Cuba and China reinforce the validity of socialism as a development model for both peoples. - Workers World - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Socialism: Here, There, and Everywhere - Countercurrents - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- LETTERS: Don't accept the immigration insanity; socialism creep in CFP - Waco Tribune-Herald - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- The World Keep Turning: Mamdani, Costco and socialism - Greenfield Recorder - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Socialism Against the State - tribunemag.co.uk - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Billionaire sounds alarm on socialism: Theyre trying to change our way of life - Fox Business - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- How a Trip to Poland Convinced Me That Socialism Works - The Imaginative Conservative - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- Maureen Dowd: My brother believes that America will never buy socialism - The Irish Times - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- US Democrats and Republicans Approve Resolution Condemning Evils of Socialism - ZENIT - English - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- Prefecture Party Secretary Intensifies Ideological Demands: Tibetan Buddhism Must be Sinicized and Adapt to Socialism - Central Tibetan Administration - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- Podcast: Is economic anxiety driving people to socialism? - Reason Magazine - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- Socialism is popular, but government is still the problem - Washington Examiner - December 4th, 2025 [December 4th, 2025]
- The December 9 Protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart Four - World Socialist Web Site - November 30th, 2025 [November 30th, 2025]
- Letter stating that socialism will ruin US was hyperbolic [letter] - LancasterOnline - November 30th, 2025 [November 30th, 2025]
- Youth and Socialism: The Emerging Trend Reveals Growing Support Among Voters - La Voce di New York - November 30th, 2025 [November 30th, 2025]
- Liberty vs. socialism: The cases of Louisiana and New York - Washington Times - November 30th, 2025 [November 30th, 2025]
- The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart Three - World Socialist Web Site - November 28th, 2025 [November 28th, 2025]
- What Socialism Got Right - In These Times - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The December 9 Protest, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart Two - World Socialist Web Site - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Resolution denouncing socialism passes in the House, ahead of Mamdani visit with Trump - Deseret News - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump Prove That There Are Two Paths Toward Socialism - Reason Magazine - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- These 2 Arizona Congress members opposed measure decrying socialism - azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Watch: Carter denounces the horrors of socialism - U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (.gov) - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Wave of Evolutionary Socialism in American Cities: News Article - Independent Institute - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- They really think this is how socialism works. They're going to destroy the New York economy. - facebook.com - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Denouncing Socialism - Congressman Tom Mcclintock (.gov) - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Socialism and the soul of the Packard Foundation - Capital Research Center - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Mamdani dodges question on socialism vote ahead of high-stakes meeting with Trump - Fox News - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Horrors of socialism: The new red scare that preempts debate | Opinion - Idaho Statesman - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Armstrong Williams: Socialism is the equal sharing of misery | STAFF COMMENTARY - Baltimore Sun - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the Struggle for Permanent RevolutionPart One - World Socialist Web Site - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Political Landscape Shifts As Alabama's Figures And Sewell Take Opposing Stands On Socialism - Tuscaloosa Thread - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Socialism may be the rage in NYC, but not in Fairfax County! - Fairfax County Times - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- MINI: Don't kind yourself, socialism is alive and well in this country - Sioux City Journal - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and Socialism in America - Heartland on the Lars Larson Show - The Heartland Institute - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- The Democratic Party Is Offering a False Choice Between Socialism and Technocracy - Reason Magazine - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Martin: The American Dream still outshines socialism - The Detroit News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Gen Z, Socialism and the Memes of Production - The Wall Street Journal - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Socialism will 'help the Republican Party if it spreads,' influencer says - Fox News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]