What is the difference between communism and socialism?

The expressions “communism” and “socialism” receive meanings that are not always very precise. In a very brief explanation, it would be possible to say that, according to Marxist theory (see table below), socialism is a stage to reach communism. This, in turn, would be a system of organization of society that would replace capitalism, implying the disappearance of social classes and the State itself.

“In socialism, society would control the production and distribution of goods in a system of equality and cooperation. This process would culminate in communism, in which all workers would be the owners of their work and production goods”, says historian Cristina Meneguello, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp).

But these two expressions can also take on other meanings. “One can understand socialism, in a more limited sense, meaning the currents of thought that are opposed to communism for defending democracy. In contrast, communism would serve as a model for building authoritarian regimes,” says historian Alexandre Hecker, from the São Paulo State University (Unesp) in Assis (SP).

Experts are almost unanimous in stating that there never was a communist country in fact. Some scholars go further and question even the existence of socialist nations.

“The so-called communist countries, such as Cuba and China, are so called because they are inspired by Marxist ideas. However, for critics on the left, these countries could not even be called socialist, because they have strong states, in which a bureaucracy linked to a single party exercises power on behalf of the workers”, says sociologist Marcelo Ridenti, also from Unicamp.

Shortly after the Second World War (1939-1945), a bloc of nations called communists was formed in Europe, under the leadership of the Soviet Union. “These countries became dictatorships, promoting persecution against dissidents. The communist society, fair and harmonious, conceived by Marx, was not achieved”, says Cristina.