Difference Between Communism and Socialism

The main intention of production in communism is to meet basic human needs, and distribution is of no charge. In contrast, socialism intends to meet individual and social needs, and distribution differs per individual ability and contribution.

The significant difference is that in communism government controls and people receive a portion of resources based on their needs. People cannot own a house in a communist state, they can’t own anything, and everything is under government control.

People will get what they need for necessities like food, medical care, education, etc.

Key Takeaways

1. Communism is a political and economic system in which the means of production and distribution are owned and controlled by the community.
2. Socialism is a political and economic system in which the means of production and distribution are collectively owned and controlled by the state or the people.
3. Communism is characterized by the absence of private property and the equal distribution of resources, while socialism allows for personal property and market mechanisms to a certain extent.

Communism vs Socialism

Communism is a political and economic system in which the means of production. Socialism is a political and economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community. In communism, the state has total control over the economy and society, unlike in socialism.

In a communist state, it doesn’t matter how hard you work; you will get the same portion you are getting, which stops the ability to work harder and better. But in socialism, citizens can own their personal properties, but the major means of generating wealth will be under an elected government.

In socialism, citizens can play their role in the government, and the government is not involved in every aspect of the field. Citizens get necessities according to their contribution and ability in society.

In a socialist state, it does matter how hard you work because without working hard, you will not get anything in this, and it motivates people to excel in their field.

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Communism	Socialism
Property	Citizens cannot have their personal properties.	Citizens can have their personal properties.
Freedom	All religions are abolished.	Everyone has a right to practice religion.
Distribution of economic production	It’s distributed according to their needs.	It’s distributed according to this contribution.
Class distinction	All classes are abolished.	Classes exist, but differences are made.
Economy planned by	Central government.	Central government.
Political system	Can co-exist with the political system	Only the political system

What is Communism?

Communism is a social and political ideology expressed by Karl Marx in the mid-18th century. The ultimate goal is to establish a society based on common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money, and the state.

The “Communist Manifesto” was published in 1848 and was a turning point in the French Revolution as the merchant class took over the “means of production” and overthrew the feudal power.

In the final stage, Marx and his followers abolished all class distinction, family and religion as everyone would live in a social equilibrium.

There will be no state, and people will get according to their needs and necessities, no matter how hard they strive, and sooner enough, the Marxist slogan became “to each according to his needs.” Prominent examples of communism are China, Egypt, etc.

What is Socialism?

Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned by the community as a whole, and there would be equal distribution of goods and services.

Socialism creates equality and provides security. There are class distinctions, and people can practice whatever they believe.

Society has no social equilibrium because you get things according to your ability and contribution to society.

This help peoples to dream big and makes them work harder than before, which is essential for the country and themselves.

Main Differences Between Communism and Socialism

1. Under communism, the people got what they needed according to their necessities, nothing more or less than that. But in socialism, citizens get according to their ability and contribution, which can vary depending on their contribution to society.
2. In communism, everything is publicly or governmentally owned. No one has personal property. In socialism, citizens can have their personal properties, but the chief means of generating wealth will be under the government.
3. Communist states reject all religions because they think it will reject their idea of an equilibrium state due to religious wars and superiority. But in communism, everyone is free to practice their religion as they think religion improves society and God is running this world.
4. Communism abolishes class distinction as in the communist state; everyone is the same, so every family is treated equally regardless of background. But in socialism, there is a class distinction as one can own more than the other family and have superiority over others.
5. In communism, there will be only one political system and no amendment to the system. But in socialism, the amendments can be made in political systems and co-exist with other political systems.
6. The basic philosophy of a communist state is the distribution of assets/resources according to needs. But in socialism distribution of assets/resources is according to the contribution.

References

1. https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Communism.html
2. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socialism/