Current and former communist regimes
Communism has taken many forms but have roots in Marxism. The two big communist countries of the 20th century were China and the Soviet Union. Other countries had communist regimes imposed on them by the Soviet Union and became Soviet satellites. Some countries, such as the former communist state of East Germany, have moved towards democracy and capitalism but have not completely transitioned away from communism.
Sovereignty, authority, power |
Communist Party
The Communist Party controlled almost everything: the government, media, economy, educational system, and most social and leisure-time activities. They relied on democratic centralism, meaning they were democratic in name only. In reality, they were led by a small group of self-selected officials.
Command Economics
Most communist countries had command economies in which the government owned almost everything. A party-dominated state planning committee managed the economies. In the Soviet Union, the committee that managed the economies was the Gosplan. The committees planned what was to be produced, exported, and sold. Managers were appointed to run individual enterprises by carrying out instructions from the central party.
The Communist Party controlled almost everything: the government, media, economy, educational system, and most social and leisure-time activities. They relied on democratic centralism, meaning they were democratic in name only. In reality, they were led by a small group of self-selected officials.
Command Economics
Most communist countries had command economies in which the government owned almost everything. A party-dominated state planning committee managed the economies. In the Soviet Union, the committee that managed the economies was the Gosplan. The committees planned what was to be produced, exported, and sold. Managers were appointed to run individual enterprises by carrying out instructions from the central party.
political/economic change
Central Planning
Central Planning through command economics led to rapid economic growth in early communist regimes. By the 1950s, communist countries were at the top in production of industrial goods. However, by the late 1970s, these countries experienced economic troubles. An authoritarian state could force people to act in ways that quicken economic growth in the early stages of industrialization, but this was of little use in more modern economies. More modern economies experienced slowing economic growth which translated into living conditions that lagged behind other economies. |
Stalinism/De-Stalinization
In the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks established an authoritarian/totalitarian regime to guide the transition from capitalism to socialism. However, many political scientists argue that Stalin's control over the world communist movement ruined any chances of Marxist countries reaching their ideals. After Stalin died, the Soviet communist party shifted away from Stalinist policies and practices during a period of reform known as de-Stalinization.
In the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks established an authoritarian/totalitarian regime to guide the transition from capitalism to socialism. However, many political scientists argue that Stalin's control over the world communist movement ruined any chances of Marxist countries reaching their ideals. After Stalin died, the Soviet communist party shifted away from Stalinist policies and practices during a period of reform known as de-Stalinization.
citizens, society, the state
Socialism
Communist regimes share ideologies of socialism, Marxism, and Leninism. There are four characteristics that define socialism. First, socialists believe that there are flaws in capitalism and private ownership of the means of production because they lead to inequality. Second, socialists are not only satisfied with equality of opportunity, but they also demand for equality of outcome as well. Third, they believe that a democracy should extend to include popular control over all decisions that shape people's lives. Lastly, socialists claim that public ownership will improve human relations because they believe that capitalism prevents most people from reaching their potentials. |
Marxism
Many socialists drew their influences from Karl Marx. Marx believed that societies passed through stages, and that industrial capitalism is a step toward socialism that cannot be reversed. Major shifts do not occur through reform, but through changes in a society's values and principles. Marx based his theory on historical materialism, the belief that class divisions of a society determine everything else that matters. The economic base of any society is determined by the relationship between social classes. The dominant class controls the means of production and exploits the rest of the population. To keep the people below in check, the owners create a superstructure of other institutions. Marx believed that capitalism was a step forward because the pursuit of money becomes a motivating force behind social change, and will lead to a working class revolution.
Many socialists drew their influences from Karl Marx. Marx believed that societies passed through stages, and that industrial capitalism is a step toward socialism that cannot be reversed. Major shifts do not occur through reform, but through changes in a society's values and principles. Marx based his theory on historical materialism, the belief that class divisions of a society determine everything else that matters. The economic base of any society is determined by the relationship between social classes. The dominant class controls the means of production and exploits the rest of the population. To keep the people below in check, the owners create a superstructure of other institutions. Marx believed that capitalism was a step forward because the pursuit of money becomes a motivating force behind social change, and will lead to a working class revolution.
political institutions
Party States
Parties were given the leading role in government and society. In the Soviet Union, the party's critical institutions were the Secretariat and Politburo. The general secretary and the members of the Politburo were similar to the prime minister and cabinet of a parliamentary system. Appointments to key positions were included in a list known as the nomenklatura. Third International/Comintern
Lenin and the Bolsheviks created the Third International, or Comintern, to expand their ideals and lead the world toward a Marxist-style revolution. The Third International was a Moscow-dominated organization of communist parties around the world between the two world wars. It was not successful. |
public policy
Reform
After Mikhail Gorbachev became the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, he introduce four types of reforms that he hoped would revitalize communism.
1. Glasnost' was introduced to open up the political system and allow for freedom of expression.
2. Democratization was introduced to add a degree of competition to the way the Communist Party was run.
3. Perestroika was introduced to reform the economy.
4. New thinking in foreign policy was introduced to improve relations with the West.
Marxism-Leninism
Vladimir Lenin devised an important form of leadership of the pre-revolutionary Bolshevik faction in Russia. Marxism-Leninism is a philosophy that combined Marxist analysis with Leninist organizational structures and tactics. Until the late 1950s, many communist regimes adopted Marxism-Leninism and obeyed almost every command from the Soviet Union.
After Mikhail Gorbachev became the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, he introduce four types of reforms that he hoped would revitalize communism.
1. Glasnost' was introduced to open up the political system and allow for freedom of expression.
2. Democratization was introduced to add a degree of competition to the way the Communist Party was run.
3. Perestroika was introduced to reform the economy.
4. New thinking in foreign policy was introduced to improve relations with the West.
Marxism-Leninism
Vladimir Lenin devised an important form of leadership of the pre-revolutionary Bolshevik faction in Russia. Marxism-Leninism is a philosophy that combined Marxist analysis with Leninist organizational structures and tactics. Until the late 1950s, many communist regimes adopted Marxism-Leninism and obeyed almost every command from the Soviet Union.