2007-09-23 07:36:51 · 7 answers · asked by My L 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Communism = Totalitarianism... The government is in complete control. This can happen in any system of government though. It's even happening in ours today.
Socialism = Government assisted programs and services, but NOT a totalitarian government, no dictator, etc.
There is a huge difference despite the idiots that posted before me. The UK and most European countries are more socialist than the US. Do they have dictators? No. Conservatives like to lump the two together out of ignorance to promote fear.
2007-09-23 07:43:10 · answer #1 · answered by St. Bastard 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
John had the best answer. Wikipedia.
Socialism is government ownership of All property, and managed national EVERYTHING. (i.e. the USSR from Stalin to Gorby)
True Communism is a group of like minded individuals in a co-habitation and co-ownership of all things. Christianity, as it's taught in the bible is a form of communism.
However, Communism as a word has been polluted and perverted to mean just a more "sociably acceptable form of socialism"
I have seen several small communes that co-habitate in peace and work wonderfully well... these are few and far between. it is a truly beautiful thing When It Works. Egos have to be pruned, and merge, and the commune interacts the same as a "perfect" marriage is idealized to work.
unfortunately it cannot work on a large scale. (nor word I fit in to many, if Any at all...)
2007-09-23 14:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elkin G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The extent to which the govt controls property.
In communism, all property is owned by the govt. Period. There is no concept of private property ownership rights.
In socialism, the govt owns or controls the major infrastructure, and usually most of the major manufacturing -- and imposes significant regulation on commerce. But individuals are still allowed to own private property, even if such ownership is regulated or taxed.
It is important to remember that both are only economic models -- they deal only with who owns or controls the property. Issues of how laws get made -- and whether the power is held by the people, by elected officials, or by some tyrant -- that is an entirely independent spectrum.
2007-09-23 14:44:00 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Very little.
Remember the Communist USSR? It was the Union of Soviet SOCIALIST republics. If one travels to Communist Cuba, one sees signs saying "fight for Socialism!" and "Socialism or Death!". By supporting Socialist progress, those poor schmucks ended up under the crushing fist of Socialism/Communism.
Communists call themselves 'socialist' or 'progressive' or 'liberal' as a disguise because nobody in their right minds votes for Communists or allows commies to run their school systems or movie industries (the primary tools of social engineering).
Long ago, a communist named Lenin called America's liberals his 'useful idiots' because he understood they would fall for these simple word games.
When one helps Socialists get into political or bureaucratic power, one is helping build Communist rule. Socialism is the progressive step towards communist dictatorship.
2007-09-23 14:41:27 · answer #4 · answered by speakeasy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not much difference. Both systems support dictator governments !!!
2007-09-23 14:41:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism
2007-09-23 14:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
im a liberal so i love both.
2007-09-23 14:39:57 · answer #7 · answered by bluestatebobby 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋