Communism vs. Utilitarianism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 9, 2024
Communism emphasizes collective ownership and equality, whereas Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Difference Between Communism and Utilitarianism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Communism is an economic and political ideology advocating for a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively. Its goal is to eliminate private property and distribute resources and power equally among all members of society. On the other hand, Utilitarianism is a principle in ethics suggesting that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, typically defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people. It evaluates the morality of actions based on their outcomes.
While communism concentrates on economic structures and aims to address social inequalities by redistributing wealth and eliminating class distinctions, utilitarianism applies a broader ethical perspective. It seeks to guide decision-making in various contexts (not just economic) by considering the consequences of actions on overall happiness and well-being. Communism is inherently political, focusing on societal organization and governance, whereas utilitarianism is a moral theory used to assess the rightness or wrongness of actions irrespective of the political system.
Communism often involves centralized planning and collective decision-making to achieve its goals, proposing a structured approach to manage economies and societies. This can lead to government intervention in all aspects of life to ensure equality and communal ownership. In contrast, utilitarianism does not prescribe specific economic systems or governance models but instead offers a framework for evaluating decisions based on their potential to increase happiness or reduce suffering.
The implementation of communism has historically been associated with socialist states and revolutions, aiming to build societies where all individuals contribute to and benefit equally from economic activities. Utilitarianism, however, influences various areas of public policy, ethics, and law, guiding decisions on issues ranging from healthcare distribution to environmental policies based on the principle of the greatest good.
Despite their differences, both communism and utilitarianism are concerned with improving human conditions but approach this goal from different angles. Communism looks to restructure society and economy to eliminate inequality, while utilitarianism provides a method to evaluate actions and policies based on their outcomes for happiness and well-being.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A political and economic ideology aiming for classless society.
An ethical theory focused on maximizing overall happiness.
Key Focus
Economic structures, equality.
Outcomes of actions, greatest happiness.
Philosophical Roots
Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels.
Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill.
Governance
Often involves centralized planning.
Does not prescribe a specific form of governance.
Application
Societal organization and economy.
Broad, including ethics, public policy, and law.
Outcome Evaluation
Based on equality and communal ownership.
Based on the amount of happiness or well-being produced.
Compare with Definitions
Communism
Economic Redistribution.
Communism advocates for the redistribution of wealth to ensure everyone has equal living standards.
Utilitarianism
Greatest Happiness Principle.
Utilitarianism holds that the best action maximizes overall happiness.
Communism
Collective Ownership.
In communism, factories and land are owned by the community as a whole.
Utilitarianism
Consequentialism.
In utilitarianism, the morality of an action is judged solely by its outcomes.
Communism
Central Planning.
Communist governments often employ central planning to allocate resources and direct production.
Utilitarianism
Ethical Decision-Making.
Utilitarianism is applied in making ethical decisions in law, public policy, and personal conduct.
Communism
Classless Society.
Communism aims for a world where societal classes do not exist, promoting total equality.
Utilitarianism
Well-being Focus.
Utilitarianism emphasizes actions that contribute to the well-being of the majority.
Communism
Equality Focus.
Communism's primary goal is to achieve socioeconomic equality across society.
Utilitarianism
Broad Application.
The utilitarian framework guides decisions in healthcare, education, and environmental policies.
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.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for all affected individuals. Although different varieties of utilitarianism admit different characterizations, the basic idea behind all of them is to in some sense maximize utility, which is often defined in terms of well-being or related concepts.
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.
Utilitarianism
The belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility.
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.
Utilitarianism
The ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
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.
Utilitarianism
The quality of being utilitarian
Housing of bleak utilitarianism.
Communism
Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.
Utilitarianism
(philosophy) A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.
Communism
Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.
Utilitarianism
(philosophy) The theory that action should be directed toward achieving the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people" (hedonistic universalism), or one of various related theories.
Communism
The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the end and aim of all social and political institutions.
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.
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that virtue is founded in utility, or that virtue is defined and enforced by its tendency to promote the highest happiness of the universe.
Communism
A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is determined by its usefulness.
Communism
A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
Utilitarianism
Doctrine that the useful is the good; especially as elaborated by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill; the aim was said to be the greatest happiness for the greatest number
Common Curiosities
What is the main goal of communism?
The main goal of communism is to create a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively.
What makes utilitarianism appealing in policy-making?
Its focus on maximizing happiness and well-being makes utilitarianism appealing for guiding ethical decisions in policy-making.
Can communism and utilitarianism be compatible?
While they focus on different aspects (economic systems vs. ethical outcomes), in theory, they could be compatible if communist policies are seen to maximize happiness.
Does utilitarianism support individual rights?
Utilitarianism focuses on collective well-being, which can sometimes conflict with individual rights if those rights are seen as hindering overall happiness.
Why is central planning associated with communism?
Central planning is associated with communism as a means to allocate resources and manage production to ensure equality and meet communal needs.
How does communism address inequality?
By eliminating private property and ensuring collective ownership of production means, communism aims to eradicate economic and social inequalities.
What role does democracy play in communism and utilitarianism?
Democracy is not a core principle of communism, which may involve authoritarian governance. In utilitarianism, democracy can be a means to achieve the greatest happiness.
How does utilitarianism determine the rightness of an action?
Utilitarianism determines the rightness of an action by evaluating its consequences for overall happiness and well-being.
Are there different types of communism?
Yes, there are various forms of communism, including Marxist-Leninism and Maoism, each with its own interpretation of Marx's ideas.
How do critics view utilitarianism?
Critics argue it may justify morally questionable actions if they result in a greater overall happiness, overlooking individual rights.
What challenges face utilitarian decision-making?
Determining the greatest good can be subjective, and actions benefiting the majority may harm minorities, posing ethical dilemmas.
Can a capitalist society apply utilitarian principles?
Yes, a capitalist society can apply utilitarian principles in policy-making to ensure actions contribute to the general well-being.
What historical examples exist of communist societies?
The Soviet Union, Cuba, and North Korea have implemented forms of communism, with varying degrees of adherence to Marxist principles.
How does utilitarianism address environmental issues?
Utilitarianism can guide environmental policies by prioritizing actions that maximize ecological well-being and sustainability, benefiting the greatest number of people.
How is wealth distributed in a communist society?
Wealth is distributed according to need, aiming for equal access to resources and services for all members of society.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
