Published: November 03, 2009 10:50 pm         

Letters to the Editor 11-04-09

Don’t confuse socialism with communism



I have been a bit bemused lately to see the label Socialist/Communist applied as though the two ideologies were one and the same. They are not. There are similarities between the two, but a basic economics textbook shows the difference.

Socialism is an economic ideology. Communism is both economic and political.

Socialism and communism are similar in calling for the public ownership of public goods and services; however, Socialists, like Capitalists, advocate distributing public goods according to individual efforts while Communists advocate distribution according to need.

Communism attempts to eliminate private ownership, but socialism attempts to extend private ownership to all citizens rather than the wealthy few. Under socialism, the largest number of people have a voice in the workings of the economy. In communism, the smallest number of people have a voice. Socialism and capitalism work together. Communism cannot coexist with capitalism.

Read about other differences in an economics text or encyclopedia or search the internet using the phrase: “Differences in Socialism and Communism.” Check out books from your library in the “Very Short Introduction” series on Marx, socialism or capitalism. Educate yourself and recognize calling someone a Socialist/Communist is as incorrect as calling someone a Socialistic, Communistic, Fascist/Nazi agnostic atheist.

Those who actually know the differences in these terms are using them as slurs. Those who do not know the difference should research the subjects and correct their error.

Mary Haney

Enid