Marxism and Communism - is it the same thing?

[CopperGoat]

I was just wondering, is Communism and Marxism basically the same thing? I mean if it was, I could say i am a marxist rather than a communist so then people won't say" You are evil, i don't want to know about communism stop spreading your propaganda" if i say i am marxist they might say "what the hell is that? I am going to have to find out" And son on. So... are they the same thing, and if they aren't what are the differences?

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I've always considered the two to be the same since Marx formulated Communism.

[Pete]

Actually Marx did not formulate communsim. He wrote the Communist Manifesto on behalf of the Internation Communist Party. The 3rd part, I belive, describes the different kinds of communists in existance at the time.

[Castroid]

I agree wth the point that if you tell someone you are a commie or have left-wing views, people resort to commie stereotypes to try and understand the situation, but if you tell someone you are a Marxist, people just look at you with curiosity. For some reason, if you call yourself a communist, people automatically brand you as evil (this has happened to me on several occasions, since, for some reason, I have a lot of conservative friends who don't understand my left-wing views) But if you call yourself a marxist, people often say they agree with some of his views, why is this? because marxism and communism are the same thing! why dont people understand? it can mainly be accredited to capitalist propaganda designed to spread confusion among the working classes.

[redstar2000]

If you find that calling yourself a Marxist achieves more receptivity among people you talk to than calling yourself a communist, I see nothing wrong with that approach.

The thing is, as soon as you start explaining what Marxism is, it's going to be kind of hard to avoid using the word communism.

So, at best, you've bought yourself a little time.

:cool:

[RedPirate]

Indeed man, save yourself the time and just tell them you're communist and if they have a problem... that's their problem... Isn't it?

[RedComrade]

If you wish too avoid the use of the word communism because of the stereotypes it carries with it use scientific socialism in its place they wont know the difference...

[ireallyhadablackout]

Quote: from RedPirate on 2:29 am on Feb. 28, 2003
Indeed man, save yourself the time and just tell them you're communist and if they have a problem... that's their problem... Isn't it?


one unspecific, reason i see a dilemma with communism (as with many things) as a theory is its roots that possibly stem from a very complex, religious and prestigious man by the name of "Thomas More" the author of "Utopia" (early 1500's) also known by the "Christians" as the "great prophet". the man played several different, religious and political roles in his lifetime. after his book was written many "russian universities" took in its (utopian) "theories" and Thomas More was known to have stated that his book was filled with "mockery" and that utopia to him meant "the good place" meaning "no place." he also admitted that the readers of his book would in all likeness misunderstand its meaning.

after all, we are talking about a man who was killed for "so called" political reasons and was also in charge of killing others for their religious beliefs that differed from his own.

and again, we are talking about a man who was known to frequent intelligent social circles and who was well aware of Christopher Columbus and his expeditions to the Americas.

so far, i can relate to some of Marx ideas only i have only begun with my studies. man, i need a genius.


(Edited by ireallyhadablackout at 4:31 am on Feb. 28, 2003)

[ireallyhadablackout]

Quote: from RedComrade on 4:07 am on Feb. 28, 2003
If you wish too avoid the use of the word communism because of the stereotypes it carries with it use scientific socialism in its place they wont know the difference...


LOL! you mean like S.S. :biggrin:

how about "Burger KIng" heehee

[red warlock]

the difference that can be traced is between preached marxist communism and the real put-into-practice communism

[BOZG]

Marxists are communists but communists are not necessarily Marxist.