Why do American schools still teach that communism means "dictatorship"?

Question

It wasn't until I got into college that I was taught (correctly) that communism is an economic system and that a dictatorship was a kind of government.... two totally different things...

Why are schools still brainwashing kids to be anti-everyone except the USA?

Yes - I am aware of the sordid history between communism and dictatorships...

but I really think that in order to progress as a society - we need to have teachers that do not say "communist China" when illustrating their authoritarianism...

It is not the communism that makes it bad... it's the dictator...

For that same reason - we have a country full of people who think that Hugo Chavez is as bad as Adolf Hitler...

see? It's wrong to teach kids those associations....

Answer 1

If it happened, then it was the same reason schools still teach that America is a Democracy, which isn't exactly true either.

When I started to answer your question, I meant to correct you--until I read your further comments. Communism is not a dictatorship--true.

Yet, I challenge you to name one communist country that is really practicing communism at its textbook definition.

Good Luck....

Answer 2

I think most schools are just trying to teach the basics. If your school is even getting into different form of government or economic systems, then you were probably in a better school than most. The textbook definition in your social studies book probably gave a more accurate definition. I don't think anyone was trying to brainwash you. Your college definition is right. However, the most visible communist countries in the world today (China, Cuba, N Korea, Vietnam) are also countries under which there is extreme state control, so maybe your teacher was giving you examples or perhaps your teacher was confused. Also, perhaps he/she was trying to explain how a controlled economic system needs a strong central government with extreme power in order for it to work out.

Answer 3

I'm not even sure this is true! Much of the youth has no clue of who's even the Vice President! And I'm talking about college students as well, not just middle school or high school. Our education system is a joke!
And my personal opinion is, by all means, find a communist country that's not ruled by a dictatorship.

Answer 4

You must be in the wrong school system...I was always taught the difference between communism and a dictatorship. The only common thing between them that I was taught was that the American government does not like either. And the schools I work in now do the same thing. I'd like to know where you went to school!

Answer 5

well, historically, communist societies have all been taken over by an individual, or few elite individuals. i dont think that they've taught that communists have dictators, i remember learning that all the people involved were equals, but its never really turned out that way, so people naturally draw connections between communism, and dictators.

on paper, communism makes a lot of sense, in practical applications, it fails every time.

Answer 6

Because it is an economic system that does not work. America is about being fair even though we are far from it we still try. If you really did go to college and really did learn what communism is than you know as well as I it is anything but fair.

Answer 7

im in US history right now..and our teacher wanted to teach us about communism because he figured we didnt know anything about he. we spent about a day and a half going over it, and he did not use the word 'dictatorship' once! maybe the other teachers should learn something from him?

Answer 8

Because we're "afraid" of North Korea....

Answer 9

Fear!