Difference Between Socialism and Communism

 Communism vs. Socialism

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels framed socialism as a transitional stage between capitalism and communism. Here’s the distinction:

1. Socialism

   • The means of production (factories, land, resources) are owned collectively (e.g., by the state or workers).

   • The principle of distribution: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution" (labor).

   • Marx critiqued socialism as incomplete, writing in Critique of the Gotha Programme:

     "The individual producer receives back from society—after the deductions have been made—exactly what he gives to it."

   • Engels emphasized socialism’s role in Socialism: Utopian and Scientific:

     "The proletariat seizes political power and turns the means of production into state property."

2. Communism

   • A classless, stateless society where production is collectively owned.

   • Distribution follows: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!" (Marx, Critique of the Gotha Programme).

   • Marx envisioned communism as the final stage:

     "In a higher phase of communist society... society [can] inscribe on its banners: From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!"

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Correction of the Phrase

The user’s statement conflates principles from both stages. Here’s the accurate distinction:

• Socialism:
  "From each according to his ability, to each according to his work."
  (Wages reflect labor contributions; incentives remain.)

• Communism:
  "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."
  (No wages; resources are shared freely as scarcity is overcome.)

Engels summarized this progression in The Communist Manifesto:

"The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property."

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Difference Between Communism and Socialism

Communism and socialism are both ideologies that advocate for collective ownership and the elimination of class struggles, but they differ in their methods, implementation, and final goals.

1. Definition and Key Differences

• Socialism: Advocates for public or collective ownership of key industries while allowing for some private enterprise. The state plays a role in wealth distribution to reduce inequality.
• Communism: Seeks to abolish private property entirely, leading to a classless, stateless society where goods are distributed based on need.

2. Role of the State

• Socialism: The state regulates production and distribution to ensure fairness, but the government remains in place.
• Communism: The state ultimately withers away, and society self-governs without a ruling class.

3. Economic Structure

• Socialism: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his work.” Workers are compensated based on their labor contribution.
• Communism: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” Goods and services are provided based on individual necessities rather than effort.

4. Marx & Engels on Communism and Socialism

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels laid the foundation of these ideologies in The Communist Manifesto (1848).

• Karl Marx:

  “The theory of Communism may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.”

  • (The Communist Manifesto)

• Friedrich Engels:

  “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.”

  • (The Communist Manifesto)

5. Wage and Work Principles

• Socialist Principle: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his work.”
• Communist Principle: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”

Your phrase can be corrected as:
“Work according to one’s capacity and receive according to one’s needs.”