Can Someone Outline the diff between socialism and

[*Hippie*]

I used to think I was a Communist but I guess I am more Socialist. I believe in state owned business but I don't truly believe a stateless, classless society can exist. Does this mean I am Socialist? :huh:

[Clarksist]

Yeah, it does. The thing Communists really have against Socialism, is that Socialism just makes the government the exploiter. But, to each their own, I suppose.

[redstar2000]

What is Socialism? An Attempt at a Brief Definition (http://redstar2000papers.com/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1082900868&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)

What is Communism? A Brief Definition (http://www.redstar2000papers.com/theory.php?subaction=showfull&id=1082898978&archive=&cnshow=headlines&start_from=&ucat=&)

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Hiero]

Communist are not against the state. Communist such as Marx, Engels and Lenin believed in a transition phase between capitalism and communism, this phase is called Socialism and it involse a state.

The state is called the dictatorship of the proleteriat.

[apathy maybe]

Socialism is variously: the broad set of ideologies that are egalitarian and anti-capitalist (including anarchism); a socialist state; a term used to describe the intermediate period between capitalism and communism in Marxism.

Communism is variously: a classless stateless socialist (1st definition) society; the end result of history in Marxist theory; what happened/ens in the USSR, China, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea and others.


Note: the third definition is the least consistent for communism. There seems to be no common thread among these countries. The definition for communism from the CIA

Originally posted by CIA World Factbook

Communism - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Is just silly.

[MarxItUpSome]

Originally posted by Apathy Maybe+Jun 11 2005, 07:30 AM--> (Apathy Maybe @ Jun 11 2005, 07:30 AM)
CIA World Factbook

Communism - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Is just silly. [/b]
Well what do you expect from the intelligence agency of an ultra-capitalist right wing country like the US?

[*Hippie*]

Thanks for your replies :D

[Elect Marx]

Basically; I see that this will matter in the future. We don't all need to be for a classless society now; though I see this as best. As long as we are willing to work together to advance toward revolution or such productive conditions and build a democratic-collective sort of society, I think we are at least on the right track.

[Patchy]

Does communism control religion? I've always been curious about that.

The whole issue with Stalin and his politics really clouds up the whole issues. The world Staling brings two things to mind 1) The Purges in Ukraine 2) KGB.

Now, as far as I know at this point, Stalin was not a communist or a socialist. He was just sick. Amirite?

[Palmares]

Control?

Technically, Marx theories that religion would "wither away". That implies that religion in a socialist/communist society would come to a point where it would be no longer neccessary: a "drug" that the masses will no longer need to suppress them.

In practice, those nations striving for Marx's ideal appear to have misinterpreted this as meaning it must be banned. :rolleyes: