Autocracy vs. Communism — What's the Difference?

Autocracy is a government system controlled by a single individual with absolute power.

Communism is an ideological and social system aiming for a classless society with shared ownership of production means.

Autocracies can manifest in various forms, including dictatorships and absolute monarchies.

In practice, communist states often struggle with implementing true communal ownership and egalitarianism.

In autocracy, decisions are made unilaterally, often without democratic processes.

Communism opposes capitalist principles, advocating for a worker-led approach to economy and governance.

Autocratic governance may lack transparency and accountability, concentrating power at the top.

Communism envisions an end to private property to eliminate social classes and inequalities.

Autocracy allows for swift decision-making, unimpeded by legislative or judicial checks.

The communist ideal includes a stateless society where the community collectively makes decisions.

Autocracy is a system of government in which supreme power over a state is concentrated in the hands of one person, whose decisions are subject to neither external legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular control (except perhaps for the implicit threat of coup d'état or other forms of rebellion).In earlier times, the term autocrat was coined as a favorable description of a ruler, having some connection to the concept of "lack of conflicts of interests" as well as an indication of grandeur and power. This use of the term continued into modern times, as the Russian Emperor was styled "Autocrat of all the Russias" as late as the early 20th century.

Communism (from Latin communis, 'common, universal') is a philosophical, social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a communist society, namely a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money, and, in some cases, the state. As such, communism is a specific form of socialism.

Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism.

A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

A country or state that is governed by a single person with unlimited power.

A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.

(uncountable) A form of government in which unlimited power is held by a single individual.

The Marxist-Leninist doctrine advocating revolution to overthrow the capitalist system and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat that will eventually evolve into a perfectly egalitarian and communal society.

(countable) An instance of this government.

Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.

Independent or self-derived power; absolute or controlling authority; supremacy.

Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.

Supreme, uncontrolled, unlimited authority, or right of governing in a single person, as of an autocrat.

The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.

Political independence or absolute sovereignty (of a state); autonomy.

A scheme of equalizing the social conditions of life; specifically, a scheme which contemplates the abolition of inequalities in the possession of property, as by distributing all wealth equally to all, or by holding all wealth in common for the equal use and advantage of all.

The action of the vital principle, or of the instinctive powers, toward the preservation of the individual; also, the vital principle.

A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership

A political system governed by a single individual

A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society

A political theory favoring unlimited authority by a single individual

While theoretically distinct, in practice, autocratic governance has been observed in states pursuing communist ideologies.

Achieving true egalitarianism, managing resources efficiently, and preventing the rise of new power hierarchies are key challenges.

Autocracy is often criticized for lack of accountability, potential for abuse of power, and suppression of dissent.

Autocracy can significantly restrict individual freedoms, including expression, assembly, and political participation.

The goal of communism is to abolish social classes and inequalities by eliminating private property.

Autocracies can experience economic growth, though it may not be equitably distributed among the population.

Success is subjective, and while some achievements in welfare and education are noted, no country has fully realized the communist ideal.

Autocracy is defined by centralized power in the hands of a single individual or entity, often with unlimited authority.

Succession can be hereditary, as in monarchies, or determined by the current leader's preference, often lacking a formal process.

Communism advocates for communal ownership and equitable distribution of resources according to need.

Communism seeks to reorganize economic structures around communal ownership, aiming to eliminate class-based economic disparities.

In theory, communism aims for a stateless society, but in practice, governing bodies have been present in communist states.

Yes, autocracy is characterized by the absence of democratic processes, with decisions made unilaterally by the ruling entity.

Ideology in autocracies can vary widely and is primarily a tool for legitimizing and maintaining power.

Personal property for everyday use is often permitted, but productive resources are meant to be collectively owned.