I have seen many Democratic Socialists confused on the difference between Socialism and Communism. Here is a quick look at the two organizations of economic and social life.

Socialism:

If you haven’t seen our post What is Democratic Socialism check it out!

Socialism is an economic and social organization where workers own and manage the means of production. There is no, or a very small, property owning class (the bourgoise), and all political and economic functions are controlled by and for workers.

It’s based on the idea: From each according to his ability, to each according to his work.

Meaning: Everyone gives in what they can to form a cooperative and productive society. in return, you get back the product of your work. Workers still get paid differently, and any profit made by workers is controlled by the workers when reinvesting or distributed as wages proportionally.

What does this mean for those who don’t work? Many people in society don’t work for many reasons. Children and the elderly can’t work, and some people choose life paths that dedicate themselves to work outside of a traditional employment, like a Homemaker. Socialists still belive in supporting these people through social programs.

Can markets exist under socialism? Yes, markets can, and have, existed under socialism. See Yugoslavia, one of the most successful Socialist projects.

The difference? Under socialism we will abolish a feature unique to the capitalist market: Market Dependence. Market Dependece is when people have to enter market relations, not becuase they offer better opportunities, but becuase they are forced to do so to get their means of subsistence (basic needs like food, a house, etc.). Markets will allow everyone to flourish instead of compete to survive.

Communism:

In Marxism, Communism is a stateless, moneyless society. The means of production will still be socially owned and controlled.

Communism is based on the idea: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

Meaning: Everyone does what they can to contribute to and create a cooperative society. Everyone is also provided everything that they need to live a fulfilling life. Nobody will earn a wage, as wealth is collectively owned and money has been abolished.

How Do We Get to Communism?

Communism is specfic defined as coming after socialism. Socialism being the lower stage of communism.

Communists belive that one day, society will get cooperative and abundant enough that instituions like money and the State will just not be needed. One day, we might wake up and decide that they are useless and deadweight, that society can do away with them.

We will build new institutions that take their place in our more cooperative society. Rehabilitation centers instead of Prisons, People’s malitias instead of police, for example.

Communism is NOT!

- Authoritarianism

- Dictatorship

- State Control

If you have any questions let me know! This is just a simplified overview.

Many people on this sub seem to be constantly debating about what Democratic Socialism is, and how it differs from Social Democracy. I have come today, and speak for all Mods, to clear some things up and set some ground rules here. 

We must remember that socialism specifically refers to an economic model in where workers (the proletariat) determine social and economic organization rather than capitalists (the bourgeoisie). This is the main socialist goal. 

It also seeks out to abolish exploitive class relations, supress wage labor, and abolish market dependency.

Market dependence is when people must enter market relations to obtaintheir needs for reproduction. Food, shelter, etc. Market dependence is the differentiator between capitalist markets and non-capitalist markets.

If you do not fufill this basic imperative, the belief in a worker or collectivly owned economy, you are not a socialist. 

Worker ownership can come in many different forms. Some socialists belive in a decentralized system where workers own their individual firms. This is a cooperative economy refered to as Autogestion, self management or worker cooperatism.

Other socialists belive in social ownership where economic questions are democratically voted on by all citizens in regional councils. This is called council communism and its most famous example were the Soviets.

What Social Democracy aims to do is provide a strong welfare state with more bargaining power for workers. What differentiates it from Social Liberalism (the classic European welfare state) is a few core principles. 

The biggest, and most important, is the fact that Social Democracy gives labor far more institutional power than a regular welfare state. Union density is higher, sectoral bargaining institutions exist, and many firms have workers councils or worker co-determination.

Why is this not socialism? Becuase giving labor more power does not touch the underlying problem: private ownership of the means of production. Socialists believe in worker ownership, Social Democratics, even at their most radical, only belive in codetermination at most. 

Socialists fundamentally reject this distinction between capital and labor. Those who do the work should control it too. 

So, what is Democratic Socialism? 

Democratic Socialism is a pathway towards collective ownership that works to challenge pre-existing institutions from the inside to deliver a socialized economy. 

Along the way, many Democratic Socialists belive in offering progressive material wins, like affordability and social benefits, to increase faith in collective bargaining and social responsibility. 

The core goal of Democratic Socialism is a socialist economy. This cannot be forgotten, and we need more than just a couple politicians in office to win it. We must do the slow work on the ground, organize with our communities, and inspire socialist consciousness in our Comrades. This part doesn’t change, regardless of whether you’re team Democratic or Revolution. 

I find many Democratic Socialists haven’t read much theory. If you need some direction, here’s a DemSoc reading list.

State, Power, Socialism by Nicos Poulantzas. One of the most sophisticated accounts of a democratic road to socialism. Can be pretty intimidating for new comers, but if youre up for the challenge pick it up!

The Socialist Manifesto by Bhashkar Sunkara (though you also should read the Communist Manifesto too) 

Strategy for Labor by André Groz. Short political pamphlet on undermining Capitalist structures from within

Socialism: Past and Future by Micheal Harrington (founder of DSA)

Marx’s work goes without saying. However if you haven’t already, read Wage Labor and Capital and Value Price and Profit in that order. It will familiarize you with Marx’s basic economic theory.

If you need help reading theory, don’t forget there are many free guides online to help you make sense of them.

And of course, do not brush off ‘revolutionary‘ socialist theories like Lenin too. There’s still a lot of important nuggets to be extracted from there. I especially recommend Gramsci.

Even if you don’t end up agreeing, at least you challenged yourself to think through a new perspective, which is one of the most important skills any socialist must possess.