What is the difference between socialism and communism and can anyone give the examples?

Answer 1

communism is where political and economic organization is owned by the state and community

socialism is where property and income is subject to social control.

Answer 2

Basically socialism is a weaker form of communism. Socialism defends that the government should have an active intervention in society, and that it should be the provider of such services as health, education, and is a major part in the redistribution of wealth. So, unlike in the US, where you need a health insurance to pay medical bills, and you pay almost as much for going to college as to buy a house, in socialist countries the government pays for most of these services, using the money it gets from taxes. The government also pays subsidies to poor people in order to lessen the gap between the poor and the rich, it plays an important part protecting workers from greedy bosses, etc. Some argue that this is good, others say it is bad and that the market should provide these services.
Communism is a form of political and economical government, defended by Marx. The basics of communism are: the state controls everything, and i mean everything really, from the production levels in each company operating in the country, to the level os prices and wages, to any company that has a strategic importance (like utilities for example). This doesn't work (just look at the soviet union) because it gives a lot of power to the government, it prevents any sort of private enterprise, and ultimately it implies a great repression on the people.

Answer 3

Historical there was not really any difference. The USSR was what we now call a Communist state but they called them selves the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics. In current usage Socialist refers to social welfare states that provide a vast array of services paid for from taxes. The government may own some industries but most economic activities are left to free markets. Communism refers to states where the government owns and operates all or most industries, every one is a government employee, and economic activity is planed and controlled by .the government.
There are few example of Communism left in the world Cuba, North Korea and China are still Communist but China is introducing free markets gradually to replace state planning. All the developed countries in the world has elements of socialism, but the Sweden, Norway, and Finland are considered models. In the US unlike Europe socialism is considered a derogatory term so we to not usually label our welfare programs as socialist and the socialist political party has almost disappeared.

Answer 4

Socialism is the first step towards communism. In socialism the people gradually take control of the means of production and then gradually try to achieve Communism which is when there's no more government hierarchy. Unfortunately there has never really been a true socialist or communist country, because the governments that say they are socialist betray their people and they turn out to be dictators and the people are left powerless.

Answer 5

I'm not an expert, but my husband is from Finland which, along with the rest of western Europe and Canada, is a socialist country. People there pay exorbitant taxes and in return all their health care and many other social needs are subsidized by the government. The downside to this is that the social systems are overburdened and needs go unmet for ridiculous periods of time as the conditions worsen and become more and more life-threatening. It is an inferior political system as has been proven throughout the history of Western civilization. Property owners, in particular, are penalized by paying much of their profit for the benefit of those who earn less income. Sounds great, but it breeds what is called a welfare state where the lower-income citizens have little reason to work toward improving their circumstances as the 'wealthy' will make up for their lack of ambition (ie: 'enterprise') through government intervention...otherwise known as 'big government'. The democratic party in America closely shadows socialism. The politicians are the only ones who prosper in this system. Don't believe what the mass media says. There are other sources that show much more integrity than CNN.

Communism on the other hand, is worse yet. These are policed nations, where citizens have no rights at all, particularly to property ownership. All property is government owned, and the citizens, if you can call them that, are subject to the government. They 'work' the farm they live on, for instance, for the government, and the government 'pays' them a miniscule wage for their livelihood. The government, therefore, often profits and extorts money from its own citizens while the citizens have no promise of a better life. Women are often grossly oppressed, and education is often withheld as is public media. Knowledge.....is strategically withheld. The economy is commonly unstable to varying degrees due to the lack of commerce and personal gain by way of reputable means and capitalism as an economic engine is missing entirely. Social needs are largely unmet. Again, you may get very sick or die before you'd ever see a doctor....if you have the money to afford one. Social degradation is common due to the breakdown in the family and you'll find the worst of every social crime is what people will do for financial gain in their most desperate state. Examples of Communism abound around the globe. All over in the middle east and Asia, parts of eastern Europe, all of China, North Korea, Cuba, and Mexico, I believe, are communist nations. Look at every impoverished nation in the world and you'll find it is linked to a communist government either directly or by association. These governments, by the way, are extremely rich and incredibly dangerous to every free nation.

Modern day Socialism is often considered as being a side-step away from Communism, as it is, since property owners eventually stand to lose their property to who? Wealthy politicians with big bank rolls. Listen to Lars Larson regarding a measure 49 in Oregon Legislature on KXL Talk Radio. Hope this helps.