To help my friend...

[Lefty]

My friend is trying to find a simple definition of socialism and communism, and I thought this would provide a good opportunity to ask the community.

[Lefty]

wait, this belongs in Q and A, doesnt it?

[man in the red suit]

socialism is simply the government control over major businuss corporations while communism is complete control over all industry.

there are also many different kinds of socialism.

there is reactionary socialism in which the theory that the feudal system is more beneficial and less exploitive than capitalism is expounded.

There is also bourgeoisie socialism and democratic socialism.

Did I give you more than you needed to know or shall I go into a more detailed explanation of democratic and bourgeoisie socialism?

[Punx for Peace]

Socialism places the values of the community over and above that of the individual, and sees the community from the perspective of an economic basis.

The fundamental tenets include a degree of exploitation, including upon such cleavages as class and gender. Socialism would ideally abrogate such exploitation, but would not necessarily mitigate against private property.

Socialist theory generally emenates from the works of Karl Marx, although the technical basis of Marx's work (the labor theory of value) is no longer considered 'best practise' in economic theory. However, the notion of the Hegelian dialect, the economic superstructure and the politics of class are still predominant in socialist theory.

Communism is based upon socialism, and is a reference to the Soviet 'communes' (regional economic entities) created in the early years of the USSR. Communism with a capital C is much less relevant today than it was prior to perestroika.

[bluerev002]

i am amazed at how youve been here for so long, put your ideas in so many threads and still not know how to explain communism and socialism

[Lefty]

my explanation to him left him confused, and since i'm slightly biased, i was trying to find other opinions that werent so biased in favor of socialism.

[Ian]

I have read dozens of books about socialism and communism, read many of Marx's works, some of the most obscure Pannekoek (I'm not ultra-leftist or anything, my infantile disorder has to do with my bladder ;) ) , some Althusser, Marcuse, other bullshit, and even still it is hard for me to explain socialism and communism....

[man in the red suit]

Quote: from Punx for Peace on 11:25 pm on Nov. 7, 2002
Socialism places the values of the community over and above that of the individual, and sees the community from the perspective of an economic basis.

The fundamental tenets include a degree of exploitation, including upon such cleavages as class and gender. Socialism would ideally abrogate such exploitation, but would not necessarily mitigate against private property.

Socialist theory generally emenates from the works of Karl Marx, although the technical basis of Marx's work (the labor theory of value) is no longer considered 'best practise' in economic theory. However, the notion of the Hegelian dialect, the economic superstructure and the politics of class are still predominant in socialist theory.

Communism is based upon socialism, and is a reference to the Soviet 'communes' (regional economic entities) created in the early years of the USSR. Communism with a capital C is much less relevant today than it was prior to perestroika.




SIMPLE. he asked for simple not a bombastic Lenin quote.

SIMPLICITY IS BLISS. we already know you are intelligent. You don't need to make yourself sound like an encyclopedia. He is trying to explain to his friend not confuse him

oh yeah, good luck explaining to your "friend." I hope this will help your "friend." lol

If I'm being an ass, just let me know.