Living in a capitalist society, people feel that something is missing in it. Therefore, they involuntarily look back at that power where everything was built on a different ideology, and involuntarily get confused in concepts, wanting to return to the idea of social justice. They do not understand how socialism differs from communism. In their appeals, they operate on both concepts. But these are two different principles of the structure of society. Let's see how communism differs from socialism.
Utopian principles of building a society
Let's deal with the terms. To find out how socialism differs from communism, it is necessary to determine the conceptual basis. We will talk about the social structure, which is based on certain principles. Any country chooses its path of development. Sometimes this happens in an evolutionary way, in other cases - revolutionary methods. This is not the point. People are constantly striving to improve social organization. Relationships in a strong family seem ideal, where everyone gets what he wants, giving away to others what they consider valuable and necessary. Such dreams have been present in society at all times. They found their expression in the yet unattainable state structure: communism. This is a system where material wealth belongs to all people. Everyone has the right to use them at his discretion, as much as possible working for the good of society. In real life, this is not the case. The highest society in the sense of achieving social justice, which they managed to create in one country, is called socialism. His features are far from a dream.
What is the difference between socialism and communism? What is the difference?
The structure of society is the distribution of the functions and rights of its participants from a citizen to the state. The socialist system was considered in science as a transition from capitalism to communism. That is why it is characterized by half-hearted principles. The property already belongs to the people, but it is impossible to use it at one’s own discretion. Every citizen has the right only to earned, that is, strictly defined benefits. Considering how socialism differs from communism, one should pay attention to property. After all, the idea of universal equality was born in the capitalist world. People were then worried about the injustice of the structure of life in general. Some work hard, while others rejoice at the results, appropriating them completely. The creator of the theory of communism Karl Marx proceeded from the one who should own the means of production. In his opinion, all members of society should have this right. But right away, changing the structure of society will not work. Therefore, a theory arose, later embodied in practice - socialism. This is a state structure where citizens are trained for the principles of communism and educated. It was impossible to imagine that people would instantly agree to share everything that was acquired. But the voluntariness of the rejection of the accumulated is precisely what distinguishes communism from socialism and capitalism. The paramount with this device is considered a mature, developed personality.
Principal differences
You must understand that the social structure is not a stationary system. It is developing. That is what K. Marx hoped for. In order to learn how socialism differs from communism, we need to study the ownership of the means of production, the results of labor, and other fundamental aspects. Any society lives off natural resources and technology.Theorists believed that both should belong to the people, if the country is socialism, communism. The differences are in the appropriation of labor results. Under socialism, everyone receives as much as earned and no more. Communism includes the principle of "to each according to his needs." That is, everyone has the right to enjoy the results of universal labor. This is a fundamental difference. Communism and socialism, described below, are considered almost identical devices of society. However, it should be understood that this is not so. And first of all we are talking about personality development. It was planned that in a socialist state, people would realize that it was better to take care of neighbors than to live for themselves. Gradually, society will become communist. This should have happened in an evolutionary way, without upheaval and turmoil.
What is socialism?
The social system in which all people are considered equal is called socialism. The means of production are nationalized, but there is minimal personal property. The company works to develop the country's industrial potential, and is engaged in the development of new technologies. Public goods are distributed fairly. Everyone has the right to a certain part, which is equivalent to his contribution to the common labor. The remnants of the previous capitalist system are money as a measure of public goods.
What is communism?
It is believed that this is the highest form of social structure, more just than socialism. Communism signs has the following:
- The means of production belong to the whole of society, as are the results of labor.
- There is no division of people into classes, people are equal.
- Money will be a thing of the past.
These ideas have never been realized. They are sometimes considered utopian, since it is difficult to imagine a new person from a modern position who is able to put such principles into practice. The theorists of communism believed that its offensive is possible only as a result of the world revolution.
About Marxism
Let's introduce one more concept into our review. Often people get confused in terms. They do not understand how Marxism, socialism and communism differ. If we have already considered the last two devices of society, then we have not talked about the first term yet. Marxism is a theory of communism. It has an indirect relation to practice. This is a teaching on how to build communism on the whole planet. To do this, nationalize enterprises and abolish commodity-money relations. Marxism is the doctrine on which the practice of socialism is built. From a certain point of view, it is not as dangerous as the ideas of communism. The theory can be developed in the right direction. Therefore, in the capitalist countries, the ideas of Marxism live, find supporters with whom the state does not even think to fight. And the ideas of communism are still trying to present utopian and unattainable. Property owners do not want to share, in simple terms. Therefore, they spare no money to distract people from the dream of a just society.
Socialism and Communism in Russia: History and Prospects
The Russian Federation is one of the states in which the non-capitalist system actually existed. Its creation began as a desire to build a communist society. But Russia again returned to capitalism. We will keep silent about the reasons for the collapse of the USSR; this is a long conversation. However, only the constitutionally prone social orientation of the state remained from socialism in the country. It cannot be considered that the capitalist system will remain in the country forever. It depends on the citizens, their political maturity. It is clear that most people who still remember the experience of living in the USSR are dissatisfied with the principle of distribution of benefits that is currently taking place. It must be added that few people support the revolutionary path either. The society has a dream of communism.And this is due to the fact that the principles of such a device are rooted in the days of the ancient Slavs, when in reality there was a different relationship between people.
Is the creation of a communist society realistic?
Scientists are constantly arguing about this topic. We will not cite all the arguments, there are many of them. Let’s better think about what it depends on. Who should create communism? You say that the capitalists first abandon the property, then the people who received it will change and mature enough so that the desired prosperity comes? But this is utopia. In fact, it all depends on the maturity and wisdom of the people as a whole, and each member of society specifically. History shows that there is no impossible, there are forces that control man. It is clear that they are richer than others, therefore, do not want change. However, it’s not up to all people to decide. Having survived and rejected socialism, society still dreams of communism, understanding with its heart the difference between the two devices. But will it work or not, time will tell.
Conclusion
Socialism and communism are two different devices of society. They are united only by theory. According to the idea of developers, socialism is the initial, transitional stage of communism. True, there is another opinion. It is believed that socialism and capitalism are Siamese twins. Two systems could exist only together, drawing strength for development in constant antagonism. Unfortunately, in this theory, communism acts as a carrot suspended from the nose of citizens so that they endure the deprivation justified by the struggle. That is, this is just an unattainable dream. Will communism become a reality, we or our descendants will see. One thing is for sure, society is constantly evolving, striving for a dream. And the larger the population of the planet, the more difficult it is to control it, to impede natural processes.
