Socialism vs. Communism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Socialism aims for collective ownership and social equality within a governmental structure. Communism seeks a classless, stateless society through more radical means.
Difference Between Socialism and Communism
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Socialism is an economic system that advocates for public or collective ownership of the means of production. Communism, on the other hand, aims not only for collective ownership but also for the abolition of the state and class distinctions.
Socialism often allows for various forms of democratic governance and a mix of public and private enterprises. Communism typically advocates for a centralized, planned economy and the elimination of private property.
Socialism can co-exist with existing political structures and can include various ideologies. Communism usually aims to overthrow the existing political system and establish a classless, stateless society.
Socialism focuses more on reducing inequality through redistributive measures like taxes. Communism aims for complete equality through the communal ownership of resources and the abolition of money.
Socialism often evolves within existing legal frameworks, sometimes through reforms. Communism generally necessitates a revolutionary approach to dismantle existing societal structures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Ownership
Public/Collective
Communal
State Role
Often Present
To be Abolished
Economic System
Mixed
Centralized/Planned
Class Distinctions
Reduced
Abolished
Methodology
Evolutionary/Reformist
Revolutionary
Compare with Definitions
Socialism
An economic system advocating public or collective ownership of the means of production.
Socialism aims to reduce wealth inequality through collective ownership.
Communism
A system where the means of production are communally owned.
Communism eliminates private ownership to achieve equality.
Socialism
A transitional system between capitalism and communism.
Socialism often serves as a stepping stone to full communism.
Communism
An ideology aiming for the dissolution of hierarchical structures.
Communism seeks to abolish not just economic but also social hierarchies.
Socialism
A framework that can coexist with various forms of governance.
Socialism can function within a democratic or authoritarian state.
Communism
A radical form of socialism requiring revolutionary change.
Communism calls for a revolution to dismantle existing societal structures.
Socialism
A socio-political ideology focused on reducing social inequality.
Socialism uses redistributive measures like taxation to achieve social equity.
Communism
An ideology emphasizing collective ownership and the absence of a state.
Communism advocates for a centralized, planned economy.
Socialism
Socialism is a political, social, and economic philosophy encompassing a range of economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production. It includes the political theories and movements associated with such systems.
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.
Socialism
Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
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.
Socialism
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which the means of production are collectively owned but a completely classless society has not yet been achieved.
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.
Socialism
Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
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.
Socialism
A system of social and economic equality in which there is no private property.
Communism
Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.
Socialism
A system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.
Communism
Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.
Socialism
(Marxism-Leninism) The intermediate phase of social development between capitalism and communism in Marxist theory in which the state has control of the means of production.
Communism
The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.
Socialism
Any of a group of later political philosophies such democratic socialism and social democracy which do not envisage the need for full state ownership of the means of production nor transition to full communism, and which are typically based on principles of community decision making, social equality and the avoidance of economic and social exclusion, with economic policy giving first preference to community goals over individual ones.
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.
Socialism
Any left-wing ideology, government regulations, or policies promoting a welfare state, nationalisation, etc.
Communism
A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Socialism
A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor. In popular usage, the term is often employed to indicate any lawless, revolutionary social scheme. See Communism, Fourierism, Saint-Simonianism, forms of socialism.
[Socialism] was first applied in England to Owen's theory of social reconstruction, and in France to those also of St. Simon and Fourier . . . The word, however, is used with a great variety of meaning, . . . even by economists and learned critics. The general tendency is to regard as socialistic any interference undertaken by society on behalf of the poor, . . . radical social reform which disturbs the present system of private property . . . The tendency of the present socialism is more and more to ally itself with the most advanced democracy.
We certainly want a true history of socialism, meaning by that a history of every systematic attempt to provide a new social existence for the mass of the workers.
Communism
A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
Socialism
A political theory advocating state ownership of industry
Communism
A socio-economic system advocating the abolition of class distinctions and private property.
Communism aims to create a classless, stateless society.
Socialism
An economic system based on state ownership of capital
Socialism
A system focused on social welfare and redistributive justice.
Socialism emphasizes universal healthcare and education.
Common Curiosities
Can Socialism exist in a democracy?
Yes, socialism can exist within various forms of democratic governance.
What is Communism?
Communism is a more radical form of socialism aiming for a classless, stateless society.
Is Socialism less extreme than Communism?
Generally, socialism is considered less radical, focusing on reducing social inequality within existing systems.
Do Communists advocate for a state?
Communism aims for a stateless society where the community collectively makes decisions.
What is Socialism?
Socialism is an economic system advocating for collective or governmental ownership of the means of production.
Is Communism always revolutionary?
Communism typically calls for a revolutionary approach to establish its ideals.
Do Socialists advocate for a state?
Socialism often includes a role for the state, particularly in providing social welfare.
How do they approach inequality?
Socialism aims to reduce inequality, whereas communism aims to abolish it.
Do both systems aim to abolish private property?
Socialism often allows for some form of private property, while communism aims to abolish it altogether.
What is the economic system like in Socialism?
Socialism often features a mixed economy with both public and private sectors.
Is Socialism a transition to Communism?
Socialism is often viewed as a transitional phase towards communism.
Do both ideologies focus on social welfare?
Both socialism and communism emphasize social welfare but to different extents.
What is the economic system like in Communism?
Communism usually involves a centralized, planned economy.
Can Socialism and Communism co-exist?
While they share similar goals, communism is generally seen as a more advanced stage of socialism.
Are Socialism and Communism mutually exclusive?
No, they are not mutually exclusive but represent different points on a spectrum of leftist ideologies.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Country vs. Nation
Next Comparison
Comfortable vs. ConfidentAuthor Spotlight
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.
