COMMUNISM

Communism is a political and economic system in which the means of production and distribution are totally controlled by the state. Communism is the highest stage of socialism. Individual ownership of properties is completely abolished in a communist state. The state owns everything and resources are distributed to the citizens according to their needs an ability. The principle of communism was enunciated by Karl Marx in his book titled “Communist Manifesto” published in 1848. No country has attained the level of communism but countries like Soviet Union, China, Poland Cuba etc. who are practicing advance socialism are aspiring to reach communist stage.

Features of Communism

1.       Total ownership of means of production and distribution by the state.

2.      Absence of classes

3.      There is the dominance of one party

4.      Its government is totalitarian in nature.

5.      Compulsory confiscation of private properties without compensation.

6.      There is the use of force in achieving communist goals

7.      A society must go through revolutionary stages like slavery, feudalism, colonialism, capitalism and socialism before attaining the level of or stage of communism.

Essential principles of communism

1.      Class struggle and Revolution: communism believed that there exist two classes that are opposed to each other in society and are in constant war. The bourgeoisie (business owner) -those who owns and control the means of production, and the proletariats (workers). Communism believes that revolution is the way out of the social inequalities which will abolish the classes.

2.       Redistribution of Property: communism believes that there must be equitable redistribution of wealth in such a way that there will be no classes in the society. All property in private hands will be acquired without compensation.

3.      Abolition of Government and State: Government and state are seen as creations to protect the interest of the exploiters. In the communist society, there will be no exploitation and therefore, there will be no need to have state apparatus.

4.      Dictatorship of the Communist Party: there would be the emergence of a single party dictatorship because only one party is allowed. Opposition is not allowed.

5.      Capitalism is exploitative: the foundation of communism is the belief that the concentration of property in private hands is exploitative.

Relationship between Socialism and Communism

a.      Socialism is a system in which there is collective or public ownership of the factors of production which are organized and controlled for the benefit of all, while communism is a revolutionary system in which there will be elimination or capitalism, abolition of classes and state, and establishment of common ownership of the factors of production.

b.      Socialism still permits the existence of capitalist class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat) with the proletariat dominating the bourgeoisie (dictatorship of the proletariat). Communism establishes a classless society.

c.      Socialism is a stage in the transformation of capitalism to communism. Communism is the ultimate stage of socialism.

d.      Socialism may be attained by evolutionary or constitutional means, but communism must involve violent confrontation or revolution.

e.      Socialism is realistic while communism is utopian (unrealistic).