Communism is a political and economic philosophy and movement with the ultimate objective of establishing a communist society. According to communist writers and philosophers, communism aims to establish a society without states and classes. Communist theorists assert that this is possible if the populace usurps the bourgeoisie's authority and replaces it with worker rule. It puts social wellbeing first and foremost.

This article explains the concepts of Communism which is important for UPSC IAS exam Preparation.

Communism

• Communism is a political and economic philosophy and movement with the ultimate objective of establishing a communist society, i.e., a socioeconomic order based on the ideals of common ownership of the means of production, the absence of social classes, money, and the state.
• Communism is a political ideology that aims to create a classless, stateless society based on shared ownership of the means of production. It can be considered a subset of the socialist movement as a whole.
• Various offshoots of the Soviet and Maoist interpretations of Marxism-Leninism make up a subset of communism that has the distinction of being the principal driving force for communism in international politics during the majority of the twentieth century.
• Types of communism
  • Marxism
  • Marxism - leninism
  • Maoism
  • Left communism
  • Anarchist communism
  • Religious communism

Historical Background

• Although the term communism was not coined until the 1840s, Plato's Republic in the 4th century BCE described civilizations that may be categorised as communist.
• That book depicted a perfect society in which the ruling elite is entirely concerned with the general good of the people.
• The first Christians practised a basic kind of communism, and in his book Utopia (1516), Thomas More portrayed an ideal society in which money is abolished and people share meals, dwellings, and other goods in common.
• In the nineteenth century, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were two of the most renowned communists.
• In the Communist Manifesto of 1848, which became the standard manifesto for socialist movements throughout 19th century Europe and during the Industrial Revolution, they went into considerable length regarding the concept.
• However, communism is most strongly linked with Karl Marx, who, with Friedrich Engels, described the concept in The Communist Manifesto (1848).
• Marx's adoption of communism was informed by the injustices generated by the Industrial Revolution.
• During Russia's October Revolution, the Bolsheviks, who subscribe to Marxism, win power and establish the first communist government, with Vladimir Lenin at the lead.
• Despite his promises of "food, land, and peace," the leftist Socialist Revolutionaries defeat the Bolsheviks in an election later that month, and Lenin takes control through military force.
• During this time, the Red Terror (executions of Czar officials), prisoner-of-war labour camps, and other police state practises emerge.

Some important types of Communism

Characteristics

• Social welfare - Assists in the building of a more egalitarian society with strong social communities by placing a high priority on social welfare and supporting universal free education and health care.
• It is able to move so swiftly because it prioritises the wellbeing of the entire population over individual self-interest in order to achieve crucial societal goals.
• Economy - Communist command economies have the ability to fully restructure societies to conform to the planner's vision.
  • All land rentals are dedicated to public uses, and land ownership is eliminated.
  • A progressive or graduated high income tax.
  • The abolition of all heirship rights
  • Credit is centralised in the state's hands.
  • Confiscation of all property owned by immigrants and rebels
• Labour - The progressive erasure of the distinction between city and countryside through the establishment of industrial armies and equal liability to labour for all (particularly in agriculture).
• Wastelands would be cultivated and soil quality would be improved using state factories and production gear.
• Child welfare - Abolition of child factory labour and free public school education for all children.
• Infrastructure - Communication and transportation would be under the control of the government.

Criticism

• Humanity and the importance of human rights are diminished.
• Philosophy does not explain how to properly run a business.
• Rather than supply and demand, the government sets prices. From these costs, planners lose crucial information about what customers want. \
• They are unable to gather current customer information, resulting in an excess of some commodities and shortages of others.
• As a result, residents form a black market to sell the commodities that the planners refuse to offer, eroding faith in Marx's pure communism. People are losing faith in the government's ability to meet "each person's individual requirements."
• The ruling party has exploited it to establish authoritarianism and oppression.

Difference between Communism and Socialism

Conclusion

The remaining five communist countries are China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. They are a transition from socialism, in which the state owns the supply components, rather than absolute communism. According to Marx, a transition point between capitalism and the ideal communist economy must exist. In current communist societies, a mixed economy is adopted.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which ideology does the Communist Party of India (CPI) follow?

A) Liberalism
B) Marxism-Leninism
C) Neoliberalism
D) Gandhian Socialism

2. In which states has the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) been a dominant political force?

A) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka
B) Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura
C) Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
D) Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana

3. What is the primary criticism of Communism in India?

A) It is undemocratic
B) It promotes inequality
C) It is outdated in the context of global politics
D) It undermines India's secularism

4. Which of the following is a major tenet of Marxism-Leninism?

A) Democracy as the supreme principle
B) Abolition of private property
C) Non-violent civil disobedience
D) Capitalist economy

5. Who were the founding leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI)?

A) Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Bhagat Singh and Rajguru
C) M. N. Roy and P. C. Joshi
D) Sardar Patel and B. R. Ambedkar

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of communism in India’s post-independence political landscape. How has it influenced governance and policies?

Answer: Post-independence, communism played a pivotal role in India’s political landscape, particularly in shaping the discourse on social justice, workers’ rights, and land reforms. Communist parties, especially the CPI and CPI(M), have been influential in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tripura, where they have governed for extended periods. In these regions, communists have spearheaded significant land reforms, ensuring that land ownership was redistributed among the poor and marginalized communities. Additionally, communism’s influence extended to labor laws, social welfare policies, and the promotion of secularism. However, with the rise of market-driven policies and the decline of communist regimes worldwide, the influence of communism has waned in national politics. Despite this, communism continues to impact Indian politics, particularly in its advocacy for the marginalized and its critique of neoliberal policies.

Q2: Discuss the key differences between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). How do their approaches to governance differ?

Answer: The CPI and CPI(M) differ primarily in their approach to revolution and governance. The CPI, formed in 1925, has historically been more moderate in its approach, advocating for peaceful coexistence within India’s democratic framework and focusing on gradual reforms. In contrast, the CPI(M), which split from the CPI in 1964, adopted a more radical stance, advocating for a proletariat-led revolution and a dictatorship of the working class as a means to achieve socialism. The CPI(M) has also been more aggressive in its critique of capitalism and has been more involved in directly challenging capitalist structures. Both parties, however, have been involved in labor movements and have pushed for land reforms, but the CPI(M) has had more success in implementing its policies in states like West Bengal and Kerala.

Q3: Evaluate the future of communism in India in the context of globalization and the rise of neoliberal economic policies.

Answer: The future of communism in India faces significant challenges, primarily due to the rise of neoliberal economic policies and globalization. With the global shift towards free-market capitalism, the relevance of Marxist-Leninist ideologies has diminished, particularly as India has embraced economic liberalization since the 1990s. The decline of communist governments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union further weakened the ideological foundation of communism in India. However, communism still has a foothold in certain states where it advocates for social justice, land reforms, and labor rights. The CPI and CPI(M) continue to provide an important voice for marginalized communities, and their critique of neoliberal policies resonates in the context of growing inequality and economic disparities. Despite these challenges, communism in India may continue to influence political discourse, particularly in regions that face economic and social exclusion.

Previous Year Questions on Communism

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Who is considered the founding leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI)?

A) M. N. Roy
B) P. C. Joshi
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) Bhagat Singh

Answer: (A)

Explanation: M. N. Roy is considered one of the founding leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI), alongside P. C. Joshi, in the 1920s.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Explain the ideological differences between the CPI and CPI(M). How have these differences shaped their role in Indian politics?"

Answer: The CPI and CPI(M) differ in their approach to achieving socialism. The CPI favors gradual reforms within India’s democratic system, while the CPI(M) advocates for a more revolutionary approach. These ideological differences have shaped their role in Indian politics, with the CPI(M) focusing more on radical policy reforms such as land redistribution, while the CPI has generally taken a more moderate stance. The CPI(M) has been more successful in governing states like Kerala and West Bengal, while the CPI has been more influential in national politics.