What is communism? Communism is an economic system in which all means of production such as land and natural resources are owned by the entire community, and used for the good of all the members (Red scarf Girl). The motive behind a system like this is that it prevents a person or group of people from becoming rich, while others are extremely poor. While communism has its own benefits and flaws, there are other forms of society which people thought would be more beneficial.
Democracy is one other system of society that is quite contrary to that of communism. In a democratic environment, free enterprise is encouraged and people are allowed to make their own decisions. The harder they work the more successful they are. This seems to be a good incentive for people to open their own businesses and work hard to make it flourish.
Communism dates back to early Karl Marx, but democracy seem to have existed much earlier than that. In a democratic form of government every citizen has equal rights, and has the privilege of practicing his own religion. There is freedom of speech and people elect representatives to represent their views in the government. In a communist Country all citizens who belong to that country must follow the same religion. There is only one person who controls the government, and it is somewhat similar to totalitanarism where only one force matters (Leone 1)
Both communism and democracy has their own flaws and benefits.
Most advanced countries believe in democracy as it helps them to grow economically, while some of the third world countries (Russia, Cuba) that resist sudden social change, prefer communism. However democratic form of government has helped to strengthen economy and become more prosperous in the long run. Democracy also has its flaws in the sense not all are treated without bias as the system dictates. Since people are allowed to work hard and reap benefits, the economy is able to improve in a democratic environment. On the contrary in a communistic society since all resources are shared people tend to be lazy which may stunt the progress of the country (Will Rogers 1927).
Karl Marx one of the most influential thinker and writer of modern times lays down his theory of socialism, which does not find great relevance in today’s society (Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto). His argument that the society created by the bourgeois is so powerful and out of control that society becomes chaotic. It is the distinct class difference where a small percent of the population owns the majority of the wealth. While both aspects of politics have enjoyed ample success there is no way both could co-exist. Moreover in recent times democracy has exceptionally achieved far more prestige and withstood ravage of times than communism. Communism could have been the answer to a governing nation but due to the vices of power hungry leaders, democracy surpasses this institution with evidence from history, revealing why these political power machines cannot remain exclusive. (Planet Paper)
