Communism vs. Liberalism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Communism advocates for a classless society and communal ownership of resources, while Liberalism emphasizes individual freedoms, private property, and democratic governance.
Difference Between Communism and Liberalism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Communism is a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned. Liberalism, on the other hand, emphasizes individual rights, private property, and limited government intervention.
In communism, the means of production are owned by the community as a whole, aiming for a stateless society. Liberalism supports a market economy and private ownership, with the state primarily safeguarding individual liberties.
Communism often involves a centralized government to redistribute resources and eliminate class distinctions. Liberalism promotes democracy and the protection of individual freedoms, including freedom of speech and religion.
Under communism, wealth and resources are distributed according to need, striving for economic equality. Liberalism focuses on equal opportunities, with less emphasis on equal outcomes, and encourages free enterprise.
Communism historically has led to authoritarian regimes in attempts to achieve its goals. Liberalism, in its various forms, has been fundamental in shaping modern democratic societies, advocating for a balance between individual freedoms and government regulation.
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Comparison Chart
Economic System
Communal ownership, state control
Market economy, private property
Political System
Often centralized, authoritarian
Democratic, with emphasis on individual rights
Property Rights
Public or communal ownership
Private ownership and rights
Individual Rights
Collective focus, less emphasis on individualism
Strong emphasis on individual freedoms
Redistribution of Wealth
Based on need, striving for equality
Based on opportunity, with less focus on equal outcomes
Compare with Definitions
Communism
A political theory for a society where wealth is distributed based on need.
In communism, healthcare and education are provided to all, irrespective of wealth.
Liberalism
An ideology supporting private property and a market economy.
Liberalism encourages entrepreneurship and private business ownership.
Communism
A system advocating for classless, stateless society and communal ownership.
Under communism, the factory was owned collectively by the workers.
Liberalism
A framework advocating limited government intervention in personal lives.
Liberalism defends the individual's right to choose their lifestyle.
Communism
A system where the state plans and controls the economy.
Under communism, the government made all economic decisions.
Liberalism
A political philosophy valuing individual freedoms and democratic governance.
Liberalism champions the right to free speech and open elections.
Communism
A social structure aiming for the elimination of social classes.
Communism's goal is to create a society where class distinctions don't exist.
Liberalism
A belief system emphasizing equal opportunities and personal liberty.
Liberalism seeks to provide equal educational opportunities for all.
Communism
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.
Liberalism
A doctrine promoting the balance of individual rights and social welfare.
Liberalism supports social safety nets while respecting private enterprise.
Communism
A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.
Liberalism
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed and equality before the law. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but they generally support individual rights (including civil rights and human rights), democracy, secularism, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and a market economy.
Communism
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.
Liberalism
The state or quality of being liberal.
Communism
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.
Liberalism
A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
Communism
Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.
Liberalism
Often Liberalism The tenets or policies of a Liberal party.
Communism
Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.
Liberalism
An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard.
Communism
The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.
Liberalism
A 19th-century Protestant movement that favored free intellectual inquiry, stressed the ethical and humanitarian content of Christianity, and de-emphasized dogmatic theology.
Communism
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.
Liberalism
A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox.
Communism
A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Liberalism
The quality of being liberal.
Communism
A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
Liberalism
(politics) Any political movement founded on the autonomy and personal freedom of the individual, progress and reform, and government by law with the consent of the governed.
Communism
An ideology promoting public ownership of production means.
Communism seeks to abolish private ownership of industries.
Liberalism
(economics) An economic ideology in favour of laissez faire and the free market (related to economic liberalism).
Liberalism
Liberal principles; the principles and methods of the liberals in politics or religion; specifically, the principles of the Liberal party.
Liberalism
A political orientation that favors progress and reform
Liberalism
An economic theory advocating free competition and a self-regulating market and the gold standard
Common Curiosities
Does liberalism support democratic elections?
Yes, liberalism strongly supports democratic processes.
Is equality a key goal in communism?
Yes, communism aims for economic and social equality.
Can communism lead to authoritarianism?
Historically, attempts to implement communism have often led to authoritarian regimes.
Does liberalism emphasize individual rights?
Yes, individual freedoms are a cornerstone of liberalism.
Is communism against private property?
Yes, communism advocates for communal or public ownership.
Does liberalism allow for different economic systems?
Yes, liberalism can coexist with various economic models, but it generally favors a market economy.
Can liberalism coexist with conservative values?
Yes, liberalism can coexist with a range of political views, including conservatism.
Does liberalism support freedom of religion?
Yes, freedom of religion is an essential aspect of liberalism.
Can communism exist within a democratic framework?
In theory, but historically, communism has often been associated with non-democratic systems.
Does liberalism support private entrepreneurship?
Yes, liberalism encourages private enterprise and innovation.
Are communist societies typically classless?
They aspire to be, but in practice, this has been difficult to achieve.
Does liberalism promote social welfare programs?
Yes, many forms of liberalism support social welfare, but with a balance of individual responsibility.
Is free healthcare part of communist policies?
Typically, yes, communism advocates for state-provided services like healthcare.
Does communism require a centralized government?
It often does, particularly in its attempts to redistribute resources and manage the economy.
Are communism and socialism the same?
No, while they share some principles, socialism is often seen as a more moderate and diverse ideology, whereas communism is more specific and radical in its goals.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
