Criticisms of communism

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Criticisms of communism can be divided in two broad categories: Those concerning themselves with the practical aspects of 20th century Communist states, and those concerning themselves with communist principles and theory. Although they often overlap, the two categories are logically distinct. One may agree with communist principles but disagree with many policies adopted by Communist states (this is quite common among Trotskyists), or, more rarely, one may agree with policies adopted by Communist states but disagree with communist principles.

The two categories of criticisms mentioned above are discussed in separate articles:

• Criticisms of Communist party rule is an article dealing with criticisms of the practical policies implemented by 20th century governments claiming to follow the ideology of Marxism-Leninism (these are usually called "Communist states" in the West).
• Criticisms of Marxism is an article dealing with criticisms of Marxist ideology itself, including its Leninist variant.

Note that communism can be viewed as a branch of socialism - though this view was not held by Marx himself - and Marxist ideology as only one particular kind of socialist ideology. See the article criticisms of socialism for a discussion of objections to socialism.

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