Communism: A Very Short Introduction

Communism is a radical ideology that seeks to create a classless, egalitarian society. It is based on the belief that the means of production should be owned in common, and that the profits of labor should be distributed equally among all members of society.

Communism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Leslie Holmes

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1285 KB
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Communism is a utopian ideology, in that it seeks to create a perfect society. However, it is also a realistic ideology, in that it recognizes the need for revolution to overthrow the existing capitalist system.

The main principles of communism are:

• The abolition of private property
• The common ownership of the means of production
• The distribution of goods and services according to need
• The absence of social classes
• The absence of the state

Communism has been a major force in world history, and has inspired revolutions and social movements around the globe. The first communist revolution took place in Russia in 1917, and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was the first communist state, and it became a model for other communist revolutions around the world.

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, but communism continues to be a major force in world politics. There are still a number of communist states in existence, including China, Cuba, and North Korea. Communism also continues to inspire social movements around the world, such as the Occupy movement and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The history of communism

The history of communism can be traced back to the early 19th century, when Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published their seminal work, The Communist Manifesto. Marx and Engels argued that capitalism was a inherently exploitative system, and that it would eventually lead to a revolution by the working class. They predicted that the working class would overthrow the capitalist class and establish a communist society.

The first communist revolution took place in Russia in 1917, and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was the first communist state, and it became a model for other communist revolutions around the world.

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, but communism continues to be a major force in world politics. There are still a number of communist states in existence, including China, Cuba, and North Korea. Communism also continues to inspire social movements around the world, such as the Occupy movement and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The principles of communism

The main principles of communism are:

• The abolition of private property
• The common ownership of the means of production
• The distribution of goods and services according to need
• The absence of social classes
• The absence of the state

These principles are based on the belief that the means of production should be owned in common, and that the profits of labor should be distributed equally among all members of society. Communism is a utopian ideology, in that it seeks to create a perfect society. However, it is also a realistic ideology, in that it recognizes the need for revolution to overthrow the existing capitalist system.

The criticisms of communism

Communism has been criticized on a number of grounds, including:

• It is unrealistic to expect people to give up their private property.
• The common ownership of the means of production would lead to inefficiency and waste.
• The distribution of goods and services according to need would be unfair to those who work harder than others.
• The absence of social classes would lead to a lack of diversity and creativity.
• The absence of the state would lead to chaos and anarchy.

These criticisms are valid, and they should be taken into account when evaluating communism. However, it is important to remember that communism is a utopian ideology. It is not meant to be a perfect system, but rather a better alternative to the existing capitalist system.

Communism is a complex and controversial ideology. It has been both praised and criticized, and it has inspired both revolutions and social movements. Whether or not communism is a viable ideology is a matter of debate. However, there is no doubt that it is a major force in world politics, and that it will continue to be debated for many years to come.

Communism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Leslie Holmes

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1285 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	177 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE