Difference Between Socialism and Communism?

[Feenix566]

Some people say there's a difference between socialism and communism. I think they're just pissed off because everyone knows that communism is the most spectacular failure of a political system in living memory. So they use the word "socialism" to avoid the stigma of talking about the system that actually wiped out a superpower.

Is there a difference? Can anyone explain it to me?

Thanks

[South Park Fan]

I've been wondering this too. I think I read the exact definitions somewhere.

EDIT: I may be wrong about this, but I think socialism refers to the economic system whereas communism refers to the political system. So, socialism:communism::capitalism:libertarianism

[Deinonychus]

True communism is a stateless society where everyone is equal and shares with each other; basically anarchism. I think that states today that call themselves "communist" are actually socialist.

Real communism has never existed as far as I know.

Sorry I couldn't give a more specific definition. I haven't done any research into socialism and communism.

[Brian4Liberty]

Splintering and competing groups resulted in the two terms. Throw Marxism in there too. Socialism was also endorsed by the Monarchies and Oligarchies as it still left them in power.

[Epic]

True communism is a stateless society where everyone is equal and shares with each other; basically anarchism. I think that states today that call themselves "communist" are actually socialist.

Real communism has never existed as far as I know.

Sorry I couldn't give a more specific definition. I haven't done any research into socialism and communism.

"True communism is a stateless society where everyone is equal and shares with each other; basically anarchism"

You make communism sound like anarcho-capitalism with really nice people. You might want to mention that people are murdered or jailed if they don't go along with other people's wants.

[Epic]

Socialist and Communism, from a broader perspective, are just the same thing - they both are extreme collectivist forms of human organization, where the government does everything instead of people interacting voluntarily.

[Deborah K]

I've been wondering this too. I think I read the exact definitions somewhere.

EDIT: I may be wrong about this, but I think socialism refers to the economic system whereas communism refers to the political system. So, socialism:communism::capitalism:libertarianism

There used to be a difference. There isn't anymore. There was a time when there was a philosophical difference. Socialism was rooted in economics. Communism was rooted in politics.

Edit: I don't know what happened here exactly, but I meant to quote the OP not this one.

[Flash]

I believe Communism is when there's a weak government, no corporations and everyone is equal. Always evolves into authoritarianism. Just look at Cuba, North Korea, USSR, etc..

[Deborah K]

I believe Communism is when there's a weak government, no corporations and everyone is equal. Always evolves into authoritarianism. Just look at Cuba, North Korea, USSR, etc..

That's fascism.

[Deinonychus]

"True communism is a stateless society where everyone is equal and shares with each other; basically anarchism"

You make communism sound like anarcho-capitalism with really nice people. You might want to mention that people are murdered or jailed if they don't go along with other people's wants.

As I said, I haven't researched into communism.

[Feenix566]

I think socialism refers to the economic system whereas communism refers to the political system.

I never bought that explanation. Politics and economics are so deeply intertwined that you can't separate them from each other.

NOTE: Libertarianism is an attempt to separate the two by redefining the appropriate role of government. If the government were restricted to providing justice and enforcing the rights of the people, then the economy would function without the government's involvement, and politics would no longer play a role in economics.

[ChaosControl]

Socialism is the state controlling the means of production while communism is a full on stateless/classless society. Its like the monks who live in a monastery only on a massive scale.

Communism is as much of an impossible ideal as Anarcho-Capitalism is.
Neither can ever work as long as human imperfection exists. In absence of a state, which both require, there will rise dictators and tyrants to claim rule.

Anything in the name of communism has mainly been fascism with socialistic elements, just like what we have today is basically fascism with socialistic elements only in lesser degree. Of course true socialism has never existed either and I doubt it ever will but it is slight less "idealistic" than communism or anarcho-capitalism.

[ClayTrainor]

That's fascism.

How's that fascism?

Fascism is private ownership and Government control, is it not?

[Deborah K]

How's that fascism?

Fascism is private ownership and Government control, is it not?

Yes it is. I agree. That's twice in one thread where I picked up the wrong quote. Sorry.

[Deborah K]

I never bought that explanation. Politics and economics are so deeply intertwined that you can't separate them from each other.
NOTE: Libertarianism is an attempt to separate the two by redefining the appropriate role of government. If the government were restricted to providing justice and enforcing the rights of the people, then the economy would function without the government's involvement, and politics would no longer play a role in economics.

In a free market you can.

[Vessol]

In a free market you can.

No you can't.

Idealistically, yes.

But realistically, it will never happen.

[Deborah K]

No you can't.

Idealistically, yes.

But realistically, it will never happen.

I disagree. When Obama successfully ruins this country and destroys our sovereignty, you will see how well the free market works when we all go underground.

[AbolishTheGovt]

Socialism is the state controlling the means of production while communism is a full on stateless/classless society. Its like the monks who live in a monastery only on a massive scale.

+1

I was just about to say it, but you got to it before me.

Socialism merely means collective ownership of the means of production. Communism is the ultimate form Karl Marx believed society would take, in which there would be no state (anarchy) and no class distinctions (egalitarianism).

I heartily, heartily disagree with you on your estimation of "anarcho-capitalism," however, ChaosControl. A state is not in the least bit necessary to the peaceful functioning of social cooperation. Read Rothbard's Man Economy And State.

[Feenix566]

In a free market you can.

Yeah that's what I said.