Two Forms Of Communism

China and Russia are seen as two of the most powerful nations in the world. Their strong military, economy, and large amount of land and population. These two nations have many similarities and differences that effect their relationship and how other nations see them across the globe. One major trait they have in common in their governments political view, communism. Communism was seen as one of the biggest threats to the world once it swallowed China and Russia.

After World War two, the west and the Soviets brought up tensions between each other. Countries such as Great Britain, the United States, Canada, France and others practiced a capitalist economy. Capitalism is a free market ideal in which the government has as little intervention to its people as possible. On the other hand, the Soviets practiced a Communist government. Communism is a form of socialism that has its government get involved in everyone’s daily life. This meant that the government determined how much and what kinds of goods would be produced.

Throughout history there have been dozens and dozens of systems of government created to achieve what some would call “The Perfect Society”. Because everyone has a different “idea” of this perfect society, nations have collapsed and there have been millions killed. Government is the most important entity in a citizen's life. Why? Because government controls people; every single aspect of their lives and all of their freedoms. The two most talked about and contrasted systems are Communism and Capitalism. They have been compared and contrasted on multiple fronts as to why they do or do not work, and which one is more effective. Capitalism and Communism are two forms of government that have very different and clashing views on the world, their main differences are about economic equality, the government’s philosophy, and the government’s role in its citizens lives.

Humans have been around for some 200,000 years. In our evolution to a civilized society, humans have tried and tested different ways of life. We have decided as a species that an order of class and power is the most efficient way to live. Whether it be the first democracies of Athens Greece, around 430 B.C., or the nomads who roamed this earth in tribes, in search of food and shelter, humans have tested all kinds of governments, or ways of living, and the most successful order of class and power seems to be some kind of government. Today, almost every society and country is governed by some kind of democratic institution. In analyzing

“In certain basic respects - a totalitarian state structure, a single party, a leader, a secret police, a hatred of political, cultural and intellectual freedom - fascism and communism are clearly more like each other than they are like anything in between.” Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Associate Professor of History at Harvard

Over the past couple of years, I have watched numerous political debates, from social issues to economic policies. I have watched debates between the quick-speaking Ben Shapiro, and the bullish Cenk Uygur. Cenk always makes a statement, and when given counter-evidence, his only reply is “Google it”. Shapiro throws out three or even four pieces of evidence for every point he makes. When Cenk gets upset, he lashes out at the crowd; Shapiro remains level-headed and only attacks the argument.

On December 25, 1991, the hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union lowered for the last time. After 69 years of enjoying a place in history as a world superpower, the massive territory dissolved into 12 independent states. The Bush administration watched in awe as their main enemy crumbled to dust. This was another victory for freedom, democracy, and capitalism. Communism, which lives by the abolition of private property, is the exact opposite of capitalism, where individuals own their own property and make money dependent on how much they work. There have been very few communist countries, and all have been lead by dictators. Which form of economy is better?

Marx argued that due to capitalism’s competitive nature, it would eventually die out and be replaced with a new form of government, communism. It is to Marx’s beliefs that change cannot simply occur through reforms or changes in government, rather a revolution in which the proletariat overthrow the bourgeois is necessary. Marx promoted the revolution, moving history towards its natural conclusion, through his ten proposals for a communist society. Among them include: a heavy progressive income tax, an exclusive monopoly of the banks under the state, transferring ownership of the modes of production to the state, a more equal distribution of the population over the country, and most importantly, the abolition of private property. Marx stated,” the theory of communists may be summed up in the single sentence: abolition of private property.” Marx acknowledged that this notion was radical and asserted that it is due in part to the liberal misconception that landowning is the fundamentals

The point of view promoted in the propaganda sources is that communism was exposed as to being bad. People didn't like the "communist" government style. They were more enticed with the way of democratic government. The democratic governement was more "free." The two are complete opposites. The people, thought it wasn't fair, and were against it.

     Throughout history, there have been many systems developed in order to have a better society. Two of the most analyzed, and debated systems that have tired to change an economy for the best are communism, and capitalism. Communism, and capitalism have been compared on many levels, such as why they will or will not work, and which one works better. Throughout this essay I will concentrate on the differences, and similarities of how each operates, along with the benefits, and problems that each of them produces.

Marx understanding of society shift into modernism lead to develop a form of communism that would come to be known as Marxism, communism is the economic thought of Marxism. Marx understands that Modernism calls for society to embrace equality for the betterment of society. Part of the problem with Capitalism comes from its exploitation of the working class; Marx understands this problem to be a vein of Pre-modernism and not a pillar of Modernism. Marx calls for the working class to rise up over their bourgeoisie oppressors and seize the equality that rightfully belongs to them. “Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes directly facing each other – bourgeoisie and proletariat. (Communist pg. 9)” If society wants to embrace modernism, then society needs to shift its focus from fighting each other and one exploiting another to a classless society. Marx highly criticizes the bourgeoisie in The Communist Manifesto, and this stems from the problems they created for themselves and for the rest of society. In their attempt to gain more power, land, and resources, their material conditions, upon the prominence which their families had been formed, were dissipating due to the lack of foresight and selfish greed. If the Bourgeoisie continues to exploit the proletariat then society will head to conflict, as is expected of Pre-modernism, but if the Bourgeoisie cease its exploitation and relinquish its power for the group,

Living in complete freedom is the philosophy that guides anarchism. The rediscovering of anarchist philosophy inundated the minds of British youth in the 1970s who felt that the British government was suppressing thier freedom with frivolous laws. There are several schools of anarchism such as anarchist-communism, collectivist anarchism, social anarchism, individualist anarchism, and mutualism. Nevertheless, it is the idea of living in total freedom that is the foundation that connects each school. Emma Goldman the author of Anarchism and Other Essays defines “ANARCHISM:-- [sic]The philosophy of a new social order based on liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence, and are therefore wrong

Capitalism and communism are two polar views of economic structure. Since I have been influenced by capitalism, my worldview is different from an individual who lived in a communist country. I would think the mature ‘self’ would be viewed differently between capitalism and communism. In capitalism, there is personal material belonging and the aspiration towards the American Dream that anything is possible to achieve. In communism, material and economic wealth is spread among the people equally. The goal in communism is to meet the basic needs of all individuals and people may strive less for self-actualization. Also, the view of a full and satisfying life would be different. In capitalism, there is a balance of giving and taking. There is

Furthermore, the restrictive nature of Communism contributes immensely to its lack of viability. In Friedrich Engels’ Communist Confession of Faith, Engels--a peer of Marx’s with whom he worked closely--outlines these restrictive qualities as positive aspects of Communist society. For instance, Engels asserts that, “Every individual strives to be happy. The happiness of the individual is inseparable from the happiness of all,” (Marx, Karl, Friedrich Engels). However, he then proceeds to define as essential shifts to the abolition of private property and religion, the former of which is nearly universally seen--by most all save Communists and Socialist--as a natural right of man and the latter serving historically as a driving force of

Ideologies create wars. Throughout history there have been dozens and dozens of systems of government created to achieve what some would call “The Perfect Society”. Because everyone has a different “idea” of this perfect society, nations have collapsed and there have been millions killed. Government is the most important entity in a citizen's life. Why? Because government controls people; every single aspect of their lives and all of their freedoms. The two most talked about and analyzed systems are that of Communism and Capitalism. They have been compared on many levels, such as why they will or will not work, and which one works better. Capitalism and Communism are two forms of government that have very different and clashing views on the world, their main differences are about economic equality, the government’s philosophy, and the government’s role in its citizens lives.