Communism
Origin

During the Industrial Revolution in Europe, a new class of poor was created due to the harsh conditions that the works underwent. In the book written by Karl Marx and published in 1848, “The Communist Manifesto”, he points out the poverty of the lower class and proposed the idea of communism which is both a economic and political philosophy. He claimed that capitalism is an imperfect system which will eventually break down and give way to communism. He encouraged the lower class to riot and overthrow the upper class, in order to free them from poverty. He and Friedrich Engels, the author of “Principles of Communism”, both believed that revolution was the only way to achieve socialism and saw communism as liberation of the people. In the first phase of the society being called “socialism”, there would still be different classes remaining. As society progresses, there would not be any classes remaining, entering the “higher phase” commonly referred to as “communism”.

The 1917 October Revolution took place in Russia, led by the Bolshevik Party. Marxist ideologies indicate that socialism should only be built on an advanced capitalist society. However, Russia was under the control of Tsar and was one of the poorest countries in Europe. This made it difficult for Russia to progress. After the Second International dissolved in 1916, Lenin proposed the Third International and sent out Twenty-one Conditions.  However Marx, Socialist also pointed out that Russia’s October Revolution could be a start of the worker’s revolution in Europe. The Bolshevik Party changed its name to the Communist Party and marked the start of the first communist state in the world. After World War II, Soviet Union had gained more territory under her influence in East Europe like East Germany and Hungary. Soviet Union also spread communism to her neighboring countries like China. This also created branches of communism like Maoism in China. All these communist states followed the theory of Marxist-Leninism and were against capitalism. This movement also started the Cold War.

Karl Marx

Theory

Proposed by Karl Marx, communism wants to create a classless society where everyone is equal and there won’t be any poor in the country. Under the control of communism, all property will belong to the state and there is a heavy progressive tax imposed on the people. Other than regional planning, the government has control over the bank, labor, farming, education factories and agriculture. No religion and morality are allowed in communism, but these things are essential in society. Communism, however, is only the final state of society and in order to achieve this final goal, there is a transformation period where everything in the country is controlled by the government. This is some kind of dictatorship and in Marxist Theory, it is being referred to as dictatorship of the proletariat, in this first state of society, people don’t have the choice to vote for the kind of government and all companies are under the government.

Although a communist society exists only in theory, there are countries that are currently ruled by a communist party. These countries are referred to communist states; however, these countries call themselves as socialist states. As world communism is the final stage of the world in Marxist Theory, these communist states are required so that the country is able to change into communism from capitalist state. In “The Communist Manifesto”, Karl Marx only stated the theory of communism, hence in practical, this ideology is often being referred to as “Marxist-Leninism” as Lenin put Marxist Theory into practice. Currently, there are only five communist state in the world, they are China, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea and Laos. But there are also communist parties in Europe, in these countries; these are Reformist Communist Parties in Italy, France and Spain.

Christian Communism

Christian Communism, unlike Communism proposed by Karl Marx, it is a form of communism that revolved around the teachings of Jesus Christ. Many Christian communists agree that Apostles was the first to create a socialist society. But Christian communist do not really agree with Marxist theory to a certain extent. They disagree with Marxist and Leninist about how the society should be governed especially the atheist view, as Christian communism is based mainly on religion. But both ideologies agreed that socialism should replace capitalism. Overall, Christian communist is rather different from Marxist theory of communism.

Public Opinion

Under the rules of communism, all sorts of communication are controlled by the government, so there is definitely propaganda being spread by the government. In this propaganda, people will be heavily influenced by the government, having no other form of communications; people will definitely support the current government. So in communist states, people actually support the government and this ideology to a large extent.

However in the other countries, especially in United States, there was a period where there was anti-communism. Communism is often criticized for its economic performance in the countries and human rights. When communism is put into practice, it is very similar to totalitarian states and people are given little freedom. And when communism is practiced in economic policy, the performance is not as good as countries with capitalism. Communism is also blamed for not able to provide for their people and many countries are extremely poor.

References

Christian communismss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008, March 19). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_communism  .

Communism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008, March 22). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism .

Communism. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 23, 2008, from http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/communism.htm.

Colton, T. J. (2007).  Communism-MSN Encarta. Retrieved March 23,     2008 from  Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007,  Davis     Center for Russian Studies, Harvard University Web site:     http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572241_9/Communism.html

Engels , F., & Blunden, A. (n.d.). The Principles of Communism. Retrieved Mar. 23, 2008, from http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm.

Museum of Communism. (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2008, from http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/musframe.htm.

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A to Z government systems

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable whichmeans that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable which means that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups
One person who has absolute rule over a country or a state and is usually hereditary or they claim as being given divine right with or without advisors.
A system combining Anarchism and capitalism
A system where there is no State or capitalism
A system combing Anarchism and savagery where savagery means acceptance comes easily.
A system where there are no hierarchies such as political or economic hierarchies.
A system where labour is emphasized and thus it has trade unions that replace the State
A system where there is more democratic decision-making
A government with only a few people who are thought to be best qualified.
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
A concentration of power in a leader who is not constitutionally responsible to the people
A one person government.
A system that is ruled by enlightened monarchs.
A system that is suitable for Islams as this system represents the political unity of the Muslims
A system that combines republic and capitalism together.
A system where the health of the community is the first priority
A system where there is no such thing as a private property because the goods are owned by the government and is available to anyone if needed
A system where many opinions are taken into consideration before making decisions
The system of Constitutional Monarchy has a Head of State that does not change as the governments change and a Government. Only the elected Officials can pass laws, the Head of State acts as an advisor to the Officials.
Leaders are elected by the people but the leaders have a limited power over the people and must go according to constitutional laws
A system where there are civic assemblies which represents the country's economic, social, industry and cultural aspects
A system where the making of laws must arise from the public if not the law cannot be approved.
A system where there is democratic representations in a country without the use of elections.
A democratic republic is a country where there is freedom of speech, election and press.
A system where two rulers have equal shared absolute power over the country
Government organization or group in with unlimited power
A true democratic system where the people elect their leaders
System where ruler with absolute power over the country.
A system similar to that of tyranny where all is controlled by one man.
A system ruled by dukes or duchesses
A system combining Anarchism but with saving the environment as their first priority.
A monarchy whose ruler is elected by the people.
A monarchy that is Arab-suited
A system that concentrates on the society's welfare as a whole and thus seeks patriotism.
A system used by the medieval age where warriors and nobility rule.
A system where the oldest are the leaders
A system ruled by grand dukes or grand duchesses
A system where the power lies with the loser level of government such as the name suggests, grassroots
A system for the Jews because non-Jews would not be granted full citizenship.
A monarchy where the kingship is passed to the sons when the father dies.
A system with the Pope as its leader.
A system where the people elect their leaders but the leaders have the freedom to do what they want.
A system combining democracy with a religion, Islam
A name that is given to many Muslim countries
Government by those who want power and personal gain.
A system where judges rule and rules by natural rights
A system where judges rule but based on the judges opinions
A system where the people elect the leaders to make decisions for them.
A system which emphasizes on liberty, freedom for the people.
A system where absolute power is given to magicians and wizards
A government where females rule.
Government by those with talent.
A system where military force is used to establish freedom and liberty.
A military-based government that has absolute rule over the country
A system combining oligarchy, democracy and monarchy.
A democratic system where there are no government parties.
A small group which makes up the government which is usually corrupted and do things for their own sake.
Government by the majority.
A system where the people are allowed to coose whatever government system they want.
A system similar to the parliamentary system except that the head of state does not have that much power.
A system where the parliament checks on the executive branch of the government
A system where voting is limited and where politicians take care of the governing of the country
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
Timocracy, Government controlled by the rich.
A state where government uses police by means to control the life of the citizens.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is linked to the people.
A system where the executive branch is independent of the legislative branch.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is prince
A system combining democracy and religion
A system where the government is elected by the people and the government has the responsibility in acting in people's interest.
A system where there is restricted democracy
A system where robots rule
One person who proclaims himself as king which would usually lead to hereditary monarchy.
A system similar to that of a presidential system except for the fact that the president and prime minister gets involved in everyday decision-making.
A system where there is only 1 government party running the country and no other party is allowed to enter for elections.
A system combining socialism and democracy
A system that emphasizes on socialism that also has aspects of free market in its economy.
A democratic system where workers are represented in government too.
A system where the rulers are those highly-skilled and qualified.
Maritime (relating to navigation or commerce on the sea) government
Government of a state by divine rule, usually by people who are guided by the deities
Government of a state by God.
A democratic system where the leader is elected but has absolute rule.
Absolute state which the people must follow orders from.
Tribalism existed during the time of primitive men. Thus, it has a sense of primitive in it. However, it also emphasizes on communism and equality.
A government ruled by an oppressive and severely unjust ruler.
A system with administrative divisions governed by a person who is governed by the viceroy.
A system combining democracy and parliamentary system which is somewhat similar to the United nations is adopting
 
Quiz Time

Which of the following is an idea in communism?





Who wrote “ The Communist Manifesto” ?





Which was the name of the first revolution in the world?