The Codependent Relationship Between Socialism And Communism

Communism and socialism are two words that, on their own, cause enough stigma, but when put in the same sentence, become taboo. 

Both terms are thrown around in politics, especially now with the upcoming presidential election.

In recent years, these ideologies have crept into the minds of Americans.

Yet, there is danger in taking communism and socialism at face value.

Communism is a political system that promotes government control over all means of  production and distribution of supply, such as employment, education, property, medical care and food, in hopes of creating an equal society. 

This ideology comes from humble roots; it was originally founded by Karl Marx and Friedrech Engles and traces back to their most prominent work, the Communist Manifesto (1848). 

Marx argued that capitalism, an economic system that limits government intervention in the marketplace, was an evil system that takes advantage of those with less economic power.

He believed a centralized system of government with more dominion would prevent the exploitation of the working class and create an equal and economically stable society.

Socialism, on the other hand, is an economic theory that supports the shared use and distribution of resources under a democratically-elected government. 

Yet, because wealth and resources are “shared,” the government ultimately regulates much of production and distribution, because someone has to.

In the final analysis, socialism gives birth to communism.

Marx himself held that socialism is the first step to achieving a communist society, knowing that economic and political systems go hand in hand.

Yet, while socialism looks great on paper, its history indicates otherwise.

Ideas such as free education and healthcare are attractive to young adults. Many welcome it due to its success in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Finland. 

However, having a more centralized government enables the government to encroach upon the freedoms of its citizens. 

There is no private ownership under communism. Everyone receives a portion of supply depending on what the government deems they need.

Socialism also has a dirty past with tyrannical leaders and deplorable regimes, such as the Castro dictatorship in Cuba. 

Communism falls under the broad umbrella of socialism with many micro factions existing within it, including Classical Communism, Democratic Socialism, Classical Maximalism, Anarchism and more.

The one deemed the most threatening to our democratic values is Classical Maximalism, which works by slowly converting a government from its preexisting ideology to socialism and then eventually into Communism.

If a socialist ideology is stressed and not properly enforced in our nation, we could be doomed to follow the same path as many other nations.

Now is a good time to get involved in politics so we have a say in how our nation grows. It’s  a right we must emphasize. Doing so prevents ominous ideologies from taking control of our fate.