Communism

Did the economy was a big problem during the XX century?

Communism is a political and economic philosophy also known as Marxism. This ideology creates classless, moneyless and stateless orders. Before the Russian Revolution of 1917 “Socialism” and “Communism” were synonyms.

They both referred to economic systems in which the government owns the means of production. But this changed when Vladimir Lenin led the Russian Revolution. Lenin believed a communist society would need one-party rule to quell chaos in the country and control the economy. (Huebsch, 2009)

Although attempts have been made to create communist societies, true communism has essentially died. But some countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, China, etc. are still based on this ideology as we can see in this reference:

"Marxism taught me what society was. I was like a blindfolded man in a forest, who doesn't even know where north or south is. If you don't eventually come to truly understand the history of the class struggle, or at least have a clear idea that society is divided between the rich and the poor, and that some people subjugate and exploit other people, you're lost in a forest, not knowing anything."

Cuban revolutionary and Marxist-Leninist politician Fidel Castro on discovering Marxism, 2009.


Perspectives on public goods and property rights are a fundamental part of communist theory. All economic decisions were planned by the state. In this case the government owned the Private properties because it supported collective ownership. As a reaction of the immense power of the state, small business were almost nonexistent in a communist society. All private property over the means of production has disappeared. The factories, lands, trade, construction, transportation, communication and information all were owned and controlled by the state.

Even though they had a very strict government we can see impressive economic achievements. During communism some fields of knowledge and technology advanced considerably. But the biggest problem that appeared was the social ones. People were unhappy and with this people stopped giving their best and began doing it for an obligation and not because they wanted to make Russia a better country.

Written by: Micaela Espinosa