Communism vs. Bolshevism — What's the Difference?

Communism, as a broad ideology, envisions a society without class divisions or state structures, where the means of production are owned collectively, aiming to eliminate personal property to achieve equality and eliminate social injustices. Bolshevism, a specific political movement within the broader communist framework, emerged in early 20th century Russia, emphasizing the need for a vanguard party to lead the proletariat in a revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist system.

Communism is a theoretical framework that has influenced various movements worldwide, advocating for a stateless, classless society, Bolshevism was a practical political strategy focused on seizing state power through revolution. Led by Lenin, the Bolsheviks believed in the necessity of a tightly organized party of professional revolutionaries to direct the working class's efforts to dismantle the bourgeois state apparatus.

Communism's theoretical underpinnings draw heavily from Marx and Engels, who outlined a vision for human society's progression towards a communal ownership model, free of exploitation and oppression. Bolshevism adapted these theories to the specific conditions of Russia, arguing that a socialist revolution could occur in a predominantly agrarian society, deviating from Marx’s original premise that industrialization was a prerequisite for socialism.

The distinction between communism and Bolshevism also lies in their implementation and the scope of their influence. Communism has been a guiding principle for various revolutionary movements across the globe, each adapting the ideology to their unique socio-political contexts. Bolshevism, however, is historically tied to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent establishment of the Soviet Union, representing a concrete instance of communist principles applied under specific historical conditions.