Communism vs. Socialism: What's The Difference?

Summary

Highlights

• There's never been a true communist country. 🌍
• Communism and socialism share the goal of reducing worker exploitation. 🤝
• Socialism is a step before communism, according to Marx. 📚
• Socialism involves state-controlled production and shared benefits. 🤲
• Corruption inhibits the attainment of true communism. 🚧
• Socialist ideas succeed in capitalist systems like Sweden's. 🇸🇪

Key Takeaways

• No modern nation has achieved true communism. 🚫
• Communism and socialism both seek to limit worker exploitation. 💼
• Socialism often acts as a precursor to communism. 🔀
• State-controlled means of production distinguish socialism. 🏭
• Corruption is a significant barrier to achieving communism. 💥
• Socialist principles thrive alongside capitalism in some countries. 🇸🇪🇨🇦

Overview

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Communism and Socialism The chapter "Introduction to Communism and Socialism" clarifies the misconception that no true communist country has ever existed, despite some countries, like China and North Korea, labeling themselves as such. It delves into the common roots of communism and socialism, both of which arise from a desire to minimize worker exploitation and reduce or abolish the dominance of economic classes in society.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Variations and Origins This chapter discusses the various variations and origins of communism and socialism, highlighting how these ideologies manifest differently across countries. Key variations mentioned include Stalinism, Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism, which are all versions based on Marxism. The philosophical foundations laid by Karl Marx, an economist and philosopher, are noted, particularly through his works such as the Communist Manifesto, which provided the basis for these ideological offshoots. The chapter concludes by noting Marx's theories on the transition of Europe from monarchies to capitalist economies.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Worker Exploitation and Marxism The chapter titled 'Worker Exploitation and Marxism' explores the concept of worker exploitation as articulated by Karl Marx. It explains how factory and farm owners, the Bourgeoisie, exploit workers, the proletariat, by extracting more value from them than they input. This dynamic creates inequality and grants power to the Bourgeoisie. Marxism suggests that to address this issue, society must transition to a model where the proletariat collectively control the means of production, thus redistributing power.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Socialism as a Precursor to Communism The chapter discusses how socialism serves as a precursor to communism according to Marx. It states that socialism is seen as the next step after capitalism, where a democratic state controls production instead of private companies. In contrast to capitalism's competitive nature, socialism emphasizes workers contributing to the greater good and sharing equally. The chapter also notes how variations of socialist ideas, such as universal health care and social services, are already present in capitalist societies.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Socialism in Practice The chapter discusses the principles of socialism in practice, focusing on the concept of collective responsibility and taxation according to one's ability to contribute. It explores the idea of the state controlling all means of production and moving towards total collective ownership, encompassing all societal and economic aspects, including private property. This aims to eliminate class distinctions by abolishing private property and promoting a classless society.
• 02:30 - 03:00: The Aim of Communism The chapter titled 'The Aim of Communism' discusses the ideal goals of a communist society, which includes a moneyless and stateless society where individuals work towards collective well-being, aiming for health, happiness, and freedom. In such a society, people contribute according to their abilities and receive based on their needs. The chapter also clarifies a common misconception that there have been no true communist countries; those labeled as such are indeed socialist, with state control over employment and the economy, citing the example of the USSR, which stands for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Communism vs Socialist Reality The chapter discusses the relationship between socialism and communism, highlighting that many economic schools view socialism as a step towards communism, dependent on the state's control over society and economy. However, this level of control often leads to corruption, as seen in countries like the former USSR, Venezuela, Vietnam, and North Korea where those in power misuse it to their advantage rather than for societal benefit.
• 03:30 - 04:00: The Role of Power and Capitalism The chapter discusses the interplay between power, socialism, and capitalism. It highlights the success of socialist ideals when integrated with capitalism, particularly in countries like Sweden and Canada. The chapter addresses the challenges posed by human nature, such as power, greed, and government intervention, which have prevented the realization of a true communist state. It mentions the countries labeled as communist and questions their reputations, hinting at a deeper exploration in another video.

Communism vs. Socialism: What's The Difference? Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 This might come as a surprise, But in the history of the modern world, there has never been a communist country. While a number of countries have Described themselves as communist, for example China and North Korea. By definition, there has never been a true communist country. So what exactly is communism, and how does it relate to socialism? Well it may be easier to explain what the two have in common. Both ideologies originate from a desire to limit worker exploitation And lower or eliminate the influence of economic classes in society.
• 00:30 - 01:00 There are dozens of variations on both communism and socialism. Based on the different ways these ideologies are implemented in different countries. There're Stalinism, Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism and others which are essentially all versions of Marxism. Couple with various styles of revolution. Karl Marx was an economist and philosopher who co-wrote the communist manifesto. Among other foundational books on communism. In short, his theory centered around the idea that as Europe transitioned from centralized monarchies to quasi-democratic capitalist economies
• 01:00 - 01:30 Workers were being exploited by those who owned the means of production. So if you work in a factory or on a farm as many at the time did Whoever owns the factory or farm is getting more out of the worker than they're putting in. This creates an inherent inequality giving the owners whom Marx called the Bourgeoisie, power over the workers called the proletariat. In Marxism, to fix this inequality, society must shift towards a model, where the proletariat hold this power instead by collectively controlling the means of production.
• 01:30 - 02:00 That's where socialism and communism come into play. According to Marx, Socialism is a precursor to communism and the next logical step after capitalism. In Socialism, a democratic state controls the means of production rather than having private companies hold ownership. Instead of competing with each other as in a capitalist society, socialism has workers contribute as much as they can to the greater good, and then they all share equally in that good. Variations of this idea are already popular within capitalist societies in the form of universal health care or social services like fire departments and schools
• 02:00 - 02:30 funded by taxes. While the use of these services is unequal and Everyone Is equally responsible for contributing to them based on their ability or level of income. So that's socialism. But once the state controls all the means of production, the next step is total collective ownership. Not just of production, But all aspects of society and economy, including private property. The intention of abolishing private property is a classless,
• 02:30 - 03:00 moneyless and stateless society where everyone works towards the same collective goal of being healthy happy and free. Everybody does what they can to contribute and takes only what they need in return. As I said before, there are no true communist countries and there never have been. Every so-called communist country is actually a socialist country, with the state controlling employment and economy to some degree. Even the widely referred to communist Russia was actually called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• 03:00 - 03:30 In short, Socialism and Communism are not altogether different. Rather most schools of economics consider- Socialism to be a precursor to communism once the state has enough control over society and economy. But this total control is a major reason that socialist countries struggle to reach this ideal. Corruption is rampant in countries like the former USSR, Venezuela, Vietnam and North Korea Largely people due to people in power, abusing that power instead of using it to help the society they control.
• 03:30 - 04:00 And refusing to give up that power to the people Nonetheless, Socialist ideals have seen incredible success when paired with capitalism. In countries like Sweden and Canada The human hurdle of overcoming power and greed and government is the biggest reason we've never seen a true communist country. So which countries have been labeled communist? And how do they actually live up to their reputations? Find out in this video to the right. Thanks for watching NowThis World! don't forget to Like and subscribe for more videos like this every week.