A Communist . why this word is connected with Socialism ?

Question

What's the story of this connection . Did the word mean something particular at the begining of the Soviet Union ?

Answer 1

Ok my theory on this is two things:
1. Lack of education on the true meaning of both.
2. A purpose-full intent to redefine communism as socialism because a lot of liberals are called socialist.

Answer 2

Originally (and even today in some contexts) communism and socialism were the same thing. This is why the USSR was the Union of Soviet SOCIALIST Republics. As time went on, the terms sort of diverged in meaning with communism meaning a Soviet-style extreme socialist state where private ownership of property was almost nonexistant, while socialism was the "moderate" version of that with state run industries mixed with some capitalist elements.

What is also worth noting is that tradional liberals(19th century liberalism) was very anti-socialist and very pro capitalism.

Answer 3

Socialism is a theory or philosophy by Marx that expressed the idea of equality for all men. No one starves, no one hurts, without the rest of the country hurting with them.
Around the time that Marx came up with these ideas, the Bolshevik revolution occurred in Russia, deposing the longtime ruling faction. There were people who just so happened to like the idea of Utopia, and so Communism was designed around Marxist theories as an experiment in public policies.

Utopia is not possible in the human race, because there always has to be someone on top, and someone on the bottom. Most economists feel, that without an average unemployment rate of 7%, that our economy will fail...

Hope this helps you.

Answer 4

In Marxist theory, Socialism is supposed to be a stage before Communism. However, because of human greed, communism is never achieved. Both are void of the concept of personal property. In a Socialist society, all property is owned and controlled by the state. In a Communist society, all property is owned and controlled by everyone. The Communist society is supposed to be a "dictatorship of the proletariat"; meaning that everyone is supposed to be equal and that the "government" is run by everyone.

Answer 5

Socialism is an ideology that espouses economic and social equality of all human beings. The idea is several hundred years old. It is also very vague about how to achieve this.

Communism on the other hand is more specific about how to achieve this - by ensuring collective ownership of all means of production - land, labor and capital. This was coined by Marx and Angels. They also called it "scientific socialism".

Lenin later developed these ideas to form a mass movement and a party called the Communist party, organized the members and led a revolution that overthrew the Tsarist government in Russia

Answer 6

Communism is essentially a more extreme form of socialism. Both systems are based on the concept of community being more important than the individial, and everything being owned by the community instead of the individual.

Answer 7

A communist is a socialist who believes religion is the opiate of the people, and then kills everyone who refuses to accept the government as god. Attorneys are killed. Guns are taken away. Religious leaders are killed or imprisoned and church doors are padlocked.

Basically, socialism lets people keep their businesses and just taxes them to death.

In communism, the government owns and distributes all.

Answer 8

from communist party's website:

http://cpusa.org/article/static/13/

Author: Gus Hall (1910-2000), former National Chair
First published: 01/01/1996 00:00 by the Communist Party, USA



We Communists believe that socialism is the very best replacement for a capitalist system that has served its purpose, but no longer meets the needs and requirements of the great majority of our people.

We believe that socialism USA will be built according to the traditions, history, culture and conditions of the United States. Thus, it will be different from any other socialist society in the world. It will be uniquely American.

What will be the goals of our socialist society?

A life free of exploitation, insecurity, poverty; an end to unemployment, hunger and homelessness.
An end to racism, national oppression, anti-Semitism, all forms of discrimination, prejudice and bigotry. An end to the unequal status of women.
Renewal and extension of democracy; an end to the rule of corporate America and private ownership of the wealth of our nation. Creation of a truly humane and rationally planned society that will stimulate the fullest flowering of the human personality, creativity and talent.
The advocates and ideologues of capitalism hold that such goals are utopian; that human beings are inherently selfish and evil. Others argue that these goals can be fully realized under capitalism.

We are confident, however, that such goals can be realized, but only through a socialist society.

Why Socialism?

Since its inception capitalism has been fatally flawed. Its inherent laws - to maximize profit on the backs of the working class - give rise to the class struggle.

History is a continuous story of people rising up against those who exploit and oppress them, to demand what's theirs. Our own country's historic beginning was revolutionary. The ideals of justice and equality have inspired peoples for centuries.

Up until the time of Karl Marx, those that advocated socialism were "utopians", that is, motivated by ideals only. It was Marx and his longtime friend and collaborator, Frederick Engels, who uncovered the inner laws of capitalism, where profit comes from and how societies develop. They transformed wishful thinking for socialism into socialism with a scientific, materialist basis.

Communists say that capitalism won't be around forever. Just like previous societies weren't around forever either. Slavery gave rise to feudalism and feudalism to capitalism. So, too, capitalism gives rise to socialism.

The Foundations of Socialism

Political power would be in the hands of working people. Socialism starts with nationalization of the main means of production - the plants, factories, agri-business farms and everything necessary to produce what society needs. The large monopoly corporations and banks come under public ownership, that is, under the collective ownership of the entire working class and people, who have the leading role in building socialism.

Socialism also means public ownership of the energy industry and all the natural resources. It eliminates forever the power of the capitalist class to exploit and oppress the majority.

A socialist government draws up plans covering the entire economy. They are drawn up with maximum participation of the people, from the shop level on up. Such plans are achieved because they harmonize the interests of all, because there are no conflicts arising from exploitation of workers and no dog-eat-dog competition.

Production increases much faster than under capitalism, with a planned economy, advancement of science and technology, and the protection and preservation of our environment and natural resources.

A socialist government is based on all-around democracy, starting with economic democracy. The more people participate in running their own economy, the more firmly people's power is established, the more successful a socialist America will be.

Trade unions in a socialist USA will insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They will have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.

Public services - schools, hospitals, utilities, transit, parks, roads - are crumbling under capitalism. And now corporations are "privatizing" government-run, publicly-owned institutions for private profit.

Under socialism public services and housing will be vastly improved and expanded. They will be broadened in their scope beyond anything dreamed of under capitalism.

The U.S. will become a vast construction site. Homes, schools, hospitals, places of recreation will be built to end shortages, replace substandard infrastructures and public facilities.

Path to Socialism

We say that it may be possible in the U.S. to bring socialism through peaceful means. Perhaps through the ballot box. One thing is clear, there won't be socialism in the U.S. until the majority of the American people want it.

I like to say that when workers enter the corporate board rooms to take over and the ruling class says: O.K. you're right, we made a mess of things and now you should run it all. Well then there won't be any trouble. But if the ruling class says: Forget it! And call out the army and the police and the national guard, then that is how revolutions become violent. It starts with the ruling class. Workers and their allies have to defend themselves and to fight for what is rightfully theirs.

We believe and advocate that a socialist society in our country will guarantee all the liberties defined in the Bill of Rights but never fully realized. These include the right of people to express themselves fully and freely through organizations of their choice and competing candidates who respect and are guided by the concept of building socialism.

Indeed, the freedoms in the Bill of Rights will take on far greater meaning for the great majority, who will now own the meeting halls, press, radio and TV, and will be able to exercise that freedom effectively.

That's why we call ours Bill of Rights Socialism, USA.

Socialism is our vision for America's future. It is a vision we are winning more and more people to because it is logical - really a great - replacement for capitalism. And because it is the next inevitable step up the ladder of human civilization.




as you can see. the communists want socialism.