Socialism is Communism.

In another thread, a poster suggested that there is a material difference between Communism and Socialism, and claiming that while Communism is a failed ideology (or at least implying that the Marxist/Leninist iterations were), Socialism is not. This could not be further from the truth. First, lets start with some definitions:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merriam Webster communism noun com·​mu·​nism | \ ˈkäm-yə-ˌni-zəm , -yü- \ Definition of communism 1a: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed b: a theory advocating elimination of private property 2capitalized a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d: communist systems collectively

and

Quote:

socialism noun so·​cial·​ism | \ ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm \ Definition of socialism 1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods 2a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state 3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished

Clearly, the most important aspect of both politico-economic systems is the abolition of private property, and the state ownership of the means of production. In this sense, there is no meaningful difference between the two systems, instead, Socialism is just a "transitional theory" as per definition #3.

All socialists are in essence advocating for communism (the total abolition of private property), even though the state (and the elites who run the state) don't yet have complete control of all property.

Socialism is defined elsewhere as the "state ownership of the means of production", but where the classless system that Marx advocated has "not yet been realized".

Since advocating for the transition to a failed ideology is just as abhorrent as advocating for a failed ideology, the terms Socialism and Communism, as well as Socialists and Communists, can rightfully be used interchangeably.

via International Skeptics Forum https://ift.tt/3oUjHui