communism in theory and practice

how is communism both an ideology and an organization

• An ideology (a set of beliefs about society and equality)

• An organization (a political system run by a communist party)

what is communism

1. markets and private property eliminated

   1. government controls economy

2. emphasis on class struggle

Marx’s view of communism

• Karl Marx believed economics shapes society.

He said capitalism is built on:

• Economic base = factories, machines, workers, owners

• Proletariat, bourgeoisie (primary classes)

He believed revolution would change both.

Marx’s Predictions

• Capitalism would eventually fail

• Workers around the world would revolt because protleriate is tired of being taken advantage by bourgeiousie

• Workers would rule temporarily (“dictatorship of the proletariat”)

• Eventually government would disappear

• Society would become equal and peaceful

vanguard

Communism says workers need a small, disciplined political party to lead the revolution.
This is called the vanguard party

Lenin’s innovations

• A “vanguard” party must lead the proletariat

• Alliance of workers and peasants (hammer and sickle)

• Result: instead of withering away, the state became stronger and society grew weaker

Mao

Mao Zedong adapted communism for China.

Because China had few factory workers, he focused on:

• Peasants

• Rural revolution

• Farmers as the force for change

Where did Communism come into power

Communism came to power in:

• Russia in 1917

• Eastern Europe after World War II

• China in 1949

Then leaders had to figure out how to run communist countries.

Communist power rule

• The communist party controls government

• A small elite group leads decisions

• Party groups exist across society to keep control

Communist Political Economy

• No private property

• No free markets

• Government makes production plans

• Government sets prices

• Government distributes goods

Problem: people often had less motivation to work hard or innovate.

societal institutions under communism

• Communist party has a monopoly on all forms of organization

• No autonomous civil society

• Religion suppressed

• Promote gender equality

• Nationalism and ethnic identity downplayed in favor of communist “internationalism”