10 Communism Examples

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What is communism, what is Karl Marx’s theory of communism, and what is a communist state like looking at some examples?

According to Investopedia.com, “Communism is a political ideology that positions itself in opposition to liberal democracy and capitalism, advocating instead for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is non-existent or severely curtailed”.

Communism flourished during the 20th century and also was a key part of the Cold War.

In the 20th century, communism was widespread and the story then describes the struggle between communism and capitalism.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the economic liberalization in China, the 20th century came to an end with the takeover of the capitalist model.

We will be discussing communism examples and more in this article.

Communism Examples

What Is Communism?

Communism is a political ideology that seeks to create a classless society through state intervention and control over society and the economy. The meaning of communism can vary based on context.

A communist politician desires to create a society that is free of class inequality and eliminate traditional hierarchies. Communist politicians seek a classless society and the exploitation of workers.

Communism parties are political organizations established by communists in several nations. The aim of communist parties in these countries is to gain power over a state and transform it.

Once the communist party is in possession of power, it transforms the state to pursue its goal of social engineering. The Communist government creates a single-party state and prevents any other party that is not associated with the communist party to enter into power.

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The Origins of Communism

The theory of communism was developed by German philosopher Karl Heinrich Marx.

According to Marx, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” (Karl Marx, Critique of the Gotha Programme Progress Publisher 1970).

In Karl Marx’s view, capitalistic owners would no longer take all the profits but instead, the proceeds will go to the workers. Karl Marx believes this would make people work at what they loved.

Marx believes that people would contribute their skills willingly for the good of all. With this, the economy would flourish because they would make an effort to work towards achieving a goal than in capitalism.

What “to each according to his needs” means is that the community would take care of people who are unable to work. Individuals who are unable to work would be motivated as goods and services will be distributed to everyone.

Communism Examples

Communism was widespread during the 20th century and several communist nations flourished. Today, only five communist nations still exist, which include China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam.

Besides these communist nations that still exist today, we will also be looking at communist nations during the 20th century.

#1. China

  • Date- 1949- present

The People’s Republic of China, the world’s second-largest economy is still a communist state to this day.

The Chines Communist Party was established in October 1949 by Mao Tse Tung. The People’s Republic of China in the late 1970s began moving towards a mixed economy.

The country phased out farms and allowed private business. However, the country still follows a five-year economic plan. The Chinese government policies are designed to favour state-owned enterprises in sectors aligned with the communist party’s goal.

#2. Soviet Union (USSR)

  • Dates: 1922-1991

The Soviet Union existed for almost seventy years and was the world’s first communist state. The Soviet Union was established after the Russian Empire was overthrown by the Bolshevik Revolution in 1922.

USSR during the 20th century was well-known for its oppressive authoritarian government. During the 70 years of the Soviet Union’s existence, it went through a range of policies. Some of the communist policies implemented in the Soviet Union include;

  • Forced Labour
  • The Second Revolution
  • Dictatorship
  • Forced Atheism

#3. Cuba

  • Dates: 1959-present

In 1959, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara’s guerrilla army were victorious and removed the Pro-USA puppet regime, hence communist Cuba began. The Partido Communista de Cuba in October 1965 became the ruling party in the country.

Communist Cuba received economic support from the Soviet Union and in return, Cuba supported the Soviet Union in the Cold War against the United States.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost economic support from USSR. In April 2011, the country started allowing economic reforms.

Today, citizens of the country can purchase real estate, appliances, cell phones, and cars. Two years later, the Cuban government announced that over half a million of its citizens are registered as self-employed.

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#4. Cambodia

  • Dates: 1975-1979

Next on this list of communism examples is the Asian nation of Cambodia.

In 1975, Cambodian revolutionary and dictator Pol Pot came to power. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia and forcefully moved people from cities to the countryside to work in camps.

The country was not safe for intellectuals and working professionals at that time. They were perceived as enemies of the working class, which led to the mass genocide of teachers, doctors, etc.

The country endured four years of starvation, and mass killings under Pol Pot’s communist rule.

Pol Pot feared an invasion from the Vietnamese. On Christmas day 1978, about 150,000 Vietnamese troops invaded the Democratic Kampuchea. Within two weeks, the Kampuchean Revolutionary Army was overpowered, hence ending Pol Pot’s government.

#5. Laos

  • Dates: 1975-present

Laos gained independence in 1945 after the Japanese occupation. However, the country was recolonized by France until they won autonomy in 1949.

In 1986, Laos began decentralizing control as private businesses were encouraged to flourish. The Asian country has created tax incentives in a bid to encourage foreign investment, as it plans to expand its economy.

Although Laos is currently ruled by the Laos People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the hammer and sickle flag lining can be seen in almost every corner of the country.

#6. East Germany

  • Dates: 1949-1990

The administration of Germany was divided after the end of World War II. East Germany’s communism was disastrous for its citizens.

In 1959, farming in East Germany was collectivized, leading farmers to lose ownership of their land to the German government. Prices for all goods and services were set by the government.

Because of this, many East Germans began attempting to leave East Germany for the much wealthier West side of Berlin. The communist at that time built a wall, which is known as the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall fell in 1990 and that was also the end of communism in Germany.

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#7. North Korea

  • Dates: 1948-present

The People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union are North Korea’s allies who helped create the country to end the three-year Korean War. To this day, North Korea follows strict central planning with farming.

North Korea is isolated and remains one of the poorest Asian countries. The country suffered famine in the 1990s and the early 2000s.

The North Korean government owns all industries in the country. Although it allowed semi-private markets sell some goods, the country has enforced collective framing since 1964.

#8. Czechoslovakia

  • Dates: 1948-1989

The European nation of Czechoslovakia was once a socialist state before the 1989 Velvet Revolution.

Just like other communist states we listed in this article, Czechoslovakia was a socialist state that collectivized farming. The 1960 constitution banned private ownership and it was followed by the need for subsidization of agriculture to ensure the farmer continue to survive.

#9. Nepal

  • Dates: Different times from 1994-present

The Asian nation of Nepal has several communist parties. Nepal’s current Maoist government was part of a civil war just a few years before entering the political mainstream.

Although Nepal’s constitution is committed to transition to socialism, the country still allows private ownership of capital.

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#10. Vietnam

  • Dates: 1975-present

Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh in 1945 declared independence from the French. Communists first arrived in North Vietnam in the 1950s after the Vietnam War.

The southern part of the country was seized by the French and Ho Chi Minh backed by China was in charge of North Vietnam.

France ruled the country until 1954 and by 1975, the communists in Vietnam were successful. Eleven years later, Vietnam began to transition towards a market-based economy.

Conclusion

A communist politician desires to create a society that is free of class inequality and eliminate traditional hierarchies. Communist politicians seek a classless society and the exploitation of workers.

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