What the heck is communism?

It has become apparent to me while on TikTok, YouTube, and my very favorite, Next Door, that the United States, and more specifically, my neighbors, might need a lesson on communism, socialism, democratic socialism, and capitalism. Additionally, we should cover, what the hell is a Democratic Republic. Let’s start at the end with one of my favorite quotes ever; when Benjamin Franklin was asked, “Well, doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Benjamin Franklin responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Franklin knew that a government of the people, for the people, and by the people was (and is) a fragile undertaking. And now we are witnessing that fragility as we try to understand how to take it back. Self governance in our Republic requires active participation by all the members of our society. This could be why our current administration is dead set on passing the Save Act (but that is not what I am here writing about today). Franklin knew we the people were integral to the Republic, and the only way to flourish.

So, what exactly is a Democratic Republic? I asked our favorite resource, Wikipedia; “A democratic republic is a form of government operating on principles adopted from a republic (a state in which supreme power is held by the People and their elected representatives, and has an elected president rather than a monarch) and a democracy (a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives).” So, to sum up: everyone who can vote is in charge of the government through their votes. While there may be some speculation about the United States of America operating in this way at this time, this was what the founders voted in, not a monarchy. 

Now that we know what we are supposed to be, let’s move into what in the world these words mean: capitalism, socialism, and communism. Each of these are simply economic systems that are present in different types of governments. (We will come back to democratic socialism in a minute, don’t fret) Capitalism (back to Wikipedia!) is the economic system based on private ownership as the means of production. The main purpose? Obtain profit by any means necessary (and currently, and maybe always, it is profit over people!) Socialism is an economic system that advocates that community or government should own or manage the major means of production and natural resources. I am going to dive deeper here because so often this is exactly where people fly off into the weeds, because, did you know, there are typically three types of socialism that can be implemented through government? Betcha didn’t!

Oh goodness, where to start. Do I start with the one you are terrified of or do I end with that one? Because this isn’t a choose your own adventure article, and because I worry I might lose you, I’ll start with what you may already know. 

1. Social Democracy – these are the systems most people can point to on a map (or was that just me in high school geography) the Nordic countries, specifically Sweden and Denmark. This model is combining capitalism (remember, free market) with heavily funded resources such as healthcare, housing, food, etc. This type of economic system helps reduce inequality across the state and provides a high standard of living.
2. Democratic Socialism – Oh! Oh! This one’s the scary one (or is it?). The main tenant of Democratic Socialism is to eliminate the exploitative parts of capitalism. (Not sure what that means? Ask any millennial how hard it’s been to buy an actual house) while it maintains the civil liberties of the people. According to the Democratic Socialists of America, their mission lies in flourishing rather than merely surviving. (click here for more on DSA ) In Democratic Socialism the people own the economic drivers in our lives, such as energy production, transportation, and a medical system that supports the people versus bankrupts us, just to name a few.
3. State Socialism- Marxism-Leninism – The really scary version of socialism thrown around the kitchen table at Thanksgiving dinners across the USA:. This is where the government takes control of all private property, centralizes the entire economy and directs society with the goal of transitioning to communism. (Oh Snap! That other scary word!)

So let’s talk about communism then. This economic system is centered upon common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange that allocates products in society based on need. There is NO private property or money. The problem with communism is the same problem I see with capitalism, corruption and greed. Because communism is a 1 party rule where media and religion are controlled by the state, the opportunity for power to corrupt is viable and endless! (Thank you Wikipedia for all your help deciphering these economic systems!)

Let’s return to my point. Currently the regime? Ruling party? (whatever you want to call them) in the United States of America is trying their hardest to frighten voters away from the Democratic Socialists running across the country. Take a pause before reading on to think of why the current party would want to steer you away from Democratic Socialists? Why would they want to confuse you with the different terms? Marxism? Communism? Socialism? Because if you pause, you may come to the same conclusions as me. First, the ruling party is ignorant of the different terms and they think they are interchangeable? Perhaps, but I think there is a darker, more sinister reason. If We the People actually had a say in how money was used, they would lose power and prestige (if they even still have the second one). If we had the power to distribute funds to healthcare, housing, education, and food, would we say that a small number of monkeys should hoard the bananas and give them the power to distribute with fidelity? That would be ludicrous (and not the cool 2000’s rapper!). 

I staunchly believe that as a human we all need, and should have, certain things available to us for our own survival as a human: a warm and safe place to sleep each day, a hot meal or two throughout the day, a clean place to shower or bathe, clean water to drink, health and wellness care for our bodies and minds, and at the end our years, a safe, clean space to grow old. Notice that I didn’t say we deserved these things? We are all human, we all require things to live, we should not have to kill ourselves or turn ourselves over to a system that doesn’t care if we live or die within that system. 

Which economic system leads us to something more, something that provides equality? Which system would you prefer your baby or ailing grandparent to be a part of? These questions aren’t on the test. The test isn’t even today. The test is this November 3rd. Tell your government what you, a member of this incredible experiment in democracy, a member of The Republic, would prefer for your loved ones, and which system will get us there, equitably?

-Rachel