whats the difference between totalitarism and communism?

Answer 1

Totalitarianism and communism aren't mutually inclusive or mutually exclusive. Assuming everyone consents to share resources, then it's not totalitarian.

However, if everyone consents to sharing resources, then what you're actually looking at is a free-market society. There's nothing about a free-market society that dictates that people can't live in communes and redistribute resources if they so choose. Anarchocommunism, by its nature, must be captialist.

So, if we're talking about that voluntary sort of communism, then no, it's not totalitarian, but if we're discussing how most forms of communism have evolved and intertwined with the state, then there's absolutely no doubt that communism lends itself to totalitarianism quite well. The reason, of course, is that it's easy to get a few hundred or thousand people to willing live in a commune, but it's much harder to convince millions of people. The result is to force change, often through violent means, which is why communism almost inevitably leads to totalitarianism when adopted by a government over a large number of people.

Answer 2

Theoretically you can be communist and not totalitarianistic(think Kibbutz's in Israel). Both Hitler (a Fascist) and Stalin (a "Communist") were the the 20th Century's worst totalitarians (and as a Fascist, Hitler was totally anti-Communist). True, totalitarianism implies total control by the central government and communism implies central control, but just look at China, they let people at the local level make decisions when it comes to economic matters and there are people there who are VERY rich (private control a lot of assets), not a normal Communist ideal. So they are different. Unfortunately, in the 20th Century, most Communist regimes were totalitarian. Bottom line, given central control of the economy it is easy for a Communist state to be totalitarian, but it is possible with other forms of government, such as fascism (1930s-1945 Germany, Italy, Japan for example).

Answer 3

Marxism is a form of Communism. Although Communism was founded by Karl Marx, other leaders like Stalin, Mao, etc have their own manipulated form of it. Which is why there is also Stalinism and Maoism. I don't know the exact points that make them all different, though. Sorry.

Answer 4

communism is basically duly elected people sharing the government responsibility's.the government dictates everything you do in life.communism is like being in a family group that's on welfare and you are the child. the daddy is the head(GOV) and mom(manager) shows you what to wear and feeds you.
while totalitarian is a dictatorship
run by an all powerful individual like Hitler
you are able to work,eat,own property, but its all under a ruler to which ultimately owns everything.
to me Cuba is a communist totalitarian country. they are communist and have a dictator. you cant wipe yer butt without getting permission from somebody to do it in Cuba. would you want to live like that?
I am trying my best to tell you in my own words what the difference is. I aint no professor.

Answer 5

Communism can never work and totalitarianism usually leads to communism.