Difference Between Socialism and Communism

There are numerous systems that are used in governing countries across the globe. Till quite a few years back, there were a large number of countries that had embraced communism as their way of life. Now, we have always used the word in same meaning with socialism. Very few of us know that there is a variance that exists in what they mean. The application of them in the global scene are varying. These systems arose from the struggle against the upper class and the abuse against the working people.

The common thing that joins them is that the rights of the resources rests with the ordinary citizens. Both these structures would like to ensure equality amongst the public. They are of the belief that the funds should be divided among the public without any prejudice.

However, in one of them the control rests only with the government. The variance arises in how the incomes are shared among the people. It is these small variances that ensure that we are respected amongst our friends and colleagues. We should always do some research and know these facts. In this article, we will know more on the difference between socialism and communism.

Definition of Socialism

Socialism is defined as an economic-based political system that postulates that workers should own and control the means of making, moving, and trading wealth. This system supports social justice and equality by reducing wealth disparities among the subjects and reducing unemployment to an extent. It is a typical illustration of a commonwealth controlled by the government.

In socialism vs communism comparison, one glaring difference is that the former makes provision for everyone including older people and the sick who cannot do much work, if at all, but this is based on certain conditions that may not be met all the time.

In the case of the latter, the government is charged with the responsibility of unconditionally catering for the needs of the aged and sick ones who may not be able to contribute so much to society.

This system of government can be practiced differently by different societies depending on the type, which may be democratic, libertarian, revolutionary, green, or market socialism. Every one of these types supports the absence of exploitation and rejection of discrimination.

Definition of Communism

Communism is defined as a social organization where all properties are owned collectively by a community where everyone is expected to contribute according to their abilities and is compensated based on their needs.

According to Karl Marx, the developer of this theory, the philosophy of this system is, “From each according to his ability, and to each according to his need.” In his argument, this would prevent capitalist owners from siphoning profits and leaving the workers with inappropriate compensation for their hard work.

The communism vs socialism comparison further explains this concept. In the case of the former, there is no such thing as rights to inheritance or classism, which is usually not the case with the latter. Also, communism encourages heavy progressive income tax, confiscation of properties owned by immigrants and rebels, centralization of credits in the hands of the state, free education for all, state-controlled communication and transportation, etc.

Socialism vs Communism Comparison Table

Let us now see what is the difference between socialism and communism in the form of a table.

Basis of Comparison	Socialism	Communism
Definition	An economic-based political system that postulates that workers should own and control the means of making, moving, and trading wealth	A social organization where all properties are owned collectively by the community where everyone is expected to contribute according to their abilities and is compensated based on their needs.
Philosophy	Each person gives according to their ability and receives according to their contribution	Each person gives according to their ability and receives according to their needs
Classism	Classism exist with minimal differences for the most part	Class is abolished
Religion	There is freedom of religion	There is no freedom of religion
Worker’s perception	May drive selfish interest on the path of the worker	Does not give room for any selfish interests
Benefits	Has the greatest goal of commonwealth	Has a centrally planned economy that can quickly mobilize economic resources on a large scale

Conclusion of the Main Difference Between Socialism vs Communism

We had been talking about the difference between communism and socialism. While both these systems would like to ensure equality among the people and that there should exist no variance in the method in which the people get the resources.

In a socialist state, the requirement will be shared based on the efforts of the people. While a communist state will share based on the needs of the people. Communism has a flipside that it does not motivate people to work hard and this could be the reason for its downfall in most countries globally.