Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. This concept reshaped political landscapes in the 20th century, influencing various movements and ideologies, leading to tensions and conflicts between opposing systems, notably capitalism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first major implementation of communism was in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
2. Communist ideology argues that capitalism leads to class struggles, which can only be resolved through revolution and the establishment of a proletarian state.
3. During the Cold War, communism was primarily represented by the Soviet Union and its satellite states, contrasting sharply with Western capitalist democracies.
4. The fall of communism in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s was marked by significant events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, leading to widespread democratic reforms.
5. In contemporary discussions, communism has influenced various movements worldwide, despite being largely discredited due to historical failures and authoritarian practices associated with communist governments.

Review Questions

• How did Karl Marx's ideas shape the development of communism in the early 20th century?
  • Karl Marx's ideas were pivotal in shaping communism as they provided a theoretical framework that critiqued capitalism. His assertion that capitalism inevitably leads to class struggle inspired revolutionary movements, particularly in Russia. The Bolshevik Revolution utilized Marxist theory to justify overthrowing the existing government and establishing a communist regime, demonstrating how his ideas directly influenced real-world events.
• Compare and contrast communism with totalitarianism as seen in historical contexts.
  • While both communism and totalitarianism involve strong state control, they are not synonymous. Communism is primarily an economic ideology advocating for collective ownership of resources and classlessness. In contrast, totalitarianism refers more broadly to an authoritarian political system that seeks to control all aspects of life. Historical examples like Stalin's Soviet Union illustrate how a communist government can adopt totalitarian practices, merging these ideologies in practice while maintaining distinct theoretical foundations.
• Evaluate the impact of globalization on contemporary perceptions of communism in various regions around the world.
  • Globalization has significantly altered perceptions of communism as it interacts with global capitalism. In many regions, particularly in Asia and Latin America, there has been a resurgence of leftist movements that incorporate communist principles while adapting them to local contexts. The blending of market economies with socialist policies reflects a shift in how communism is viewed—not solely as an ideological relic but as a potential model for addressing inequality and social justice within a globalized economy. This evolution shows that while traditional communism faced decline post-Cold War, its influence persists in various forms globally.

Related terms

Karl Marx: A philosopher and economist whose works, especially 'The Communist Manifesto,' laid the foundation for modern communist theory, advocating for the overthrow of capitalist systems.

Bolshevism: A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that sought to overthrow the provisional government after the February Revolution, leading to the establishment of a communist state under Lenin.

Totalitarianism: A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life, often associated with communist regimes.