Is Communism a Utopian Ideal or a Feasible Solution to Economic and Social Inequality?

By Eli Kim, USA

Economic and social inequality is the most pressing issue facing our modern society. In the past, inequality has led to rebellions, spurred revolutions, and driven the quest for improved government. One of the significant responses to such inequality has been communism, initially outlined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in The Communist Manifesto. Communism envisions a future with no private property, with shared resources and production and wealth redistributed to do away with class distinctions (Pepperdine, n.d.). The theory presents a fascinating critique of the failings of capitalism;however, whether or not it would ever be achievable in reality is a subject of hot debate.

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In the 20th century, numerous government agencies toiled to turn this dream into an actual occurrence. The Soviet Union, Maoist China, North Korea, and Cuba all implemented some form of communism. The first decades of their regimes registered huge advances in literacy, delivery of healthcare, and eradication of economic inequalities. They were, however, characterized by political oppression, suppression of personal freedoms, and inefficiency in their economies (Yoon et al., 2024; Boyle, 2023). Arguments against communism entail the risks brought about by a one-party state and a lack of market-based incentives. Some authors believe that the explicit deployment or borrowings of communist ideas might hold solutions to rising wealth inequalities of contemporary capitalist states (Warino, 2019). Concepts of worker cooperatives, public provisioning of necessary services, and common provision of health and education are seeing new interest against a background of rising wealth inequality. This proposal raises the crucial question: Is communism a sufficient solution to inequality, or does it show its vulnerabilities when faced with the complexity of real life? The paper will compare the success of the old communist regimes with that of the contemporary capitalist democracies that have integrated robust social welfare state practices, exemplified by the nations of Scandinavia (McKay, 2020).

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This study will compare the effectiveness of various systems in addressing the issues of inequality, poverty, and accessibility to opportunities. Through a study of the failures and partial successes of previous communist initiatives, this study aims to establish whether elements of the ideology remain relevant in contemporary economic contexts. The study will utilize scholarly sources, study historical case studies, and utilize statistical information from reputable institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank. The comparison will not only analyze the economic impact of communism, but also the political and social factors that influence the operations of these systems. Particular focus will be given to those root causes of inequality which underlie this phenomenon, and to the role of government policy, ownership structures, and economic strategies in shaping the outcome. In light of the increasing global challenges of automation, artificial intelligence, and climate change, this study will also examine the possibilities for transcending the past limitations of communism in modern conditions. As inequalities have grown both within and across borders, the need to re-examine the machinations of our economic systems has grown exponentially. Though communism was largely discredited worldwide because it was associated with repressive regimes, the ideals it embodies—justice, solidarity, and shared prosperity—continue to be significant and influential. It is necessary for individuals who desire to seek more equal economic opportunities to reflect on whether or not such aspirations can be achieved under communist regimes, hybrid regimes, or other structures (Warino, 2019).

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References :

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Pepperdine School of Public Policy. (n.d.). Marx & Engels | Socialism: Scientific and Utopian | Pepperdine School of Public Policy. Pepperdine | School of Public Policy. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/research/faculty-research/intellectual-foundations/ marx-engels/ssu.htm

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Yoon, L., Creel, N., Klink, M., Chang, G. G., Hammer, J., Davis, M., Hawley, E., Depetris, D. R., Katz, Y., & Reyes, R. A. (2024, June 4). North Korea—The Forgotten Human Rights Crisis. Newsweek. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.newsweek.com/north-korea-forgotten-human-rights-crisis-opinion-1906970

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Boyle, M. J. (2023, December 18). Socialism: History, Theory, Analysis, and Examples of Socialist Countries. Investopedia. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/socialism.asp

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Warino, N. (2019, December 7). The Data Show That Socialism Works Current Affairs. Current Affairs. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/12/the-data-show-that-socialism-works

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McKay, A. (2020, August 3). Scandinavian 'Socialism': The Truth of the Nordic Model. Life in Norway. Retrieved April 19, 2025, from https://www.lifeinnorway.net/scandinavian-socialism/​