Socialism and Communism: Critiques of Capitalism and
Proposed Alternatives
Exploring the critiques of capitalism and proposed alternatives through the lenses of socialism and communism.
The birth of communism
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution and
societal changes led to the emergence of utopian and communal
movements in Europe and North America. Groups like the Shakers,
Oneida Community, and Amana Colonies in the United States
experimented with communal living and shared property. These
movements often aimed to create more equitable and harmonious
societies in response to the social upheaval of the time.
socialist and communist ideologies gained prominence. Figures like Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels proposed communal ownership of the means of
production as a solution to the perceived exploitation of the working class
under capitalism. These ideas contributed to the rise of socialist and
communist movements worldwide, as it spread further and further
•What is Communism?
•Communism is a political and economic system in
which the means of production, distribution, and
exchange are owned and controlled by the
community as a whole, with no private ownership.
The goal of communism is to create a classless
society in which everyone has equal access to
resources and opportunities.
•What is Socialism?
•Socialism is an economic system in which the
means of production, distribution, and
exchange are owned and controlled by the
community as a whole, typically through the
Introduction to government. The goal of socialism is to create a
more equal society by eliminating class
distinctions and ensuring that everyone has
Socialism and access to basic necessities.
Communism
Principles of Socialism
Equality and Fairness Social Welfare Collective Ownership
Socialism aims to eliminate Socialism advocates for the Socialism advocates for
social and economic provision of social welfare collective ownership of the
inequality, and to provide programs, such as means of production,
equal opportunities for all healthcare, education, and distribution, and exchange.
members of society. housing, to ensure that all
members of society have
access to basic necessities.
Principles of Communism
All property and resources The economy would be planned
would be owned and controlled and coordinated by a central
Abolition of Private Property by the community as a whole, Central Planning authority, rather than being
rather than by individuals or subject to the whims of the
corporations. market.
The means of production
Communism aims to eliminate
(factories, land, etc.) would be
social classes and create a
owned and managed
Classless Society society in which all individuals Collective Ownership
collectively by the community,
have equal access to resources
rather than by individual owners
and opportunities.
or corporations.
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Karl Marx and Fredrick
Engels on communism
How Does Communism Work?
According to Marx and Engels, the definition of communism
involves the following characteristics:
Creation of a state ruled by the proletariat
Creation of a planned economy State control over a universal public
education
Creation of a state bank and the elimination of private credit institutions
Abolition of land property
Elimination of class inequality
Establishment of a graduated income tax system
Creation of economic policies that promote labor rights and welfare
An eventual transition to a stateless society
Karl marx
Some important men of communism
Vladimir lenin
Joseph Stalin
Critiques of Capitalism
Exploitation of Environmental Unequal Distribution of
Workers Degradation Wealth
Capitalism is criticized Capitalism is criticized Capitalism is also
for its exploitation of for its focus on criticized for its unequal
workers, who are economic growth and distribution of wealth,
often paid low wages profit, which can lead to where a small
and work in poor environmental percentage of the
conditions. This is due degradation and the population holds a
to the profit motive depletion of natural disproportionate
of capitalists, who resources. This is amount of wealth and
prioritize their own because capitalists power. This can lead to
financial gain over the prioritize their own social and economic
well-being of their financial gain over the inequality, as well as
employees. well-being of the planet political instability.
and future generations.
Proposed Alternatives to Capitalism
Market Socialism Democratic Socialism
A system in which the A system in which the
means of production are means of production are
owned and controlled by owned and controlled by
the workers, but decisions the workers, but decisions
are made through a market are made democratically
economy rather than a through a government
planned economy. elected by the people.
Anarcho-Communism
A system in which the
means of production are
owned and controlled by
the workers, but decisions
are made through
voluntary associations and
direct democracy, without
a centralized government.
Submitted by:
Akansha Rana
Deepanshi Arora
Maneya Wadhwa
Suryanshi Dhiman
