What is the difference between Socialism and Communism?
Socialism and communism are alike in that both are systems of production for use based on public ownership of the means of production and centralized planning. Socialism grows directly out of capitalism; it is the first form of the new society. Communism is a further development or “higher stage” of socialism. From each according to his ability, to each according to his deeds (socialism). From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs (communism). The socialist principle of distribution according to deeds that is, for quality and quantity of work performed, is immediately possible and practical. On the other hand, the communist principle of distribution according to needs is not immediately possible and practicalit is an ultimate goal. Obviously, before it can be achieved, production must reach undreamed of heightsto satisfy everyones needs there must be the greatest of plenty of everything.
Socialism and communism are ideological doctrines that have many similarities as well as many differences. It is difficult to discern the true differences between socialism and communism, as various societies have tried different types of both systems in myriad forms, and many ideologues with different agendas have defined both systems in biased terms. Some main differences, however, can still be identified. One difference between socialism and communism is that socialism is mainly an economic system, while communism is both an economic and a political system. As an economic system, socialism seeks to manage the economy through deliberate and collective social control. Communism, however, seeks to manage both the economy and the society by ensuring that property is owned collectively and that control over the distribution of property is centralized in order to achieve both classlessness and statelessness.
Socialism and communism are both economic systems (the production, distribution, and use of wealth) that require that goods be owned in common, instead of privately. The difference between the two systems is in the fact that socialism covers a wide range of political systems, including communism, whereas communism is a strict interpretation of socialism. While socialism advocates communal ownership of industry, it does so in two ways: either in the form of state ownership or else in the form of ownership by the workers themselves. Communism, on the other hand, allows for only one form of the communal endeavor: state ownership through a small group of political elite. Communism also goes one step further than socialism in that the Communist state not only controls the economy, but all areas of society. The former Soviet Union is an example of…
In communism the government has control of everything – all businesses and land. Basically nothing belong to you, everything is the governments. Its supposed to be so that there is no difference in classes but this obviously doesn’t work. You can see this in Cuba, Fidel Castro is a communist and the country is a disaster and completely poor In socialism the government only controls certain large buisnesses. For example: France is a socialist country – the health/medicine is controlled by the government (healthcare). This give every person the access to medicine, in this case it is good. In the US congress it is often debated whether the government should take control of healthcare so that everyone could have it.
