Is a socialist country automatically a communist country?

Answer 1

There was a time when communism and socialism ruled much of the world. However, in 2014 there are not quite as many countries that are communist or socialist. The ones that remain are North Korea, China, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Cuba, and Norway among others.

Answer 2

No, socialism isn't the same as communism. They both want the same thing, a direct democracy, but communists plan on creating a Dictatorship that they plan on ending when things are stable and creating a direct democracy. Socialism wants to create a direct democracy through democratic elections and changing laws to, at the end, create a direct democracy. Anarchy though just goes directly to direct democracy and everyone in an anarchist society lives how they would after the revolution, not to wait for the revolution to come, but to already start living in that manner.

Answer 3

No. Communism and Socialism are very different political systems. While both are on the "left wing" of politics, there are very large differences between the two.

To put it very quickly, a Socialist country may have public and private ownership of the nations resources or infrastructure, like railways, healthcare or education. A Socialist country will provide a welfare system that helps and supports the poorest people in society, but will still allow private ownership and private wealth. Rich people may be taxed more than in a non-socialist country, but they are often happy to do so due to other benefits, or a social attitude that believes "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need". Socialist countries are extremely tolerant of all faiths and beliefs, and do not discriminate by sex, race or creed.

In a Communist country, private wealth may be abolished and the public (through the government) would own and control the vast majority, if not all, of the public services. Many Communists in the world today do not believe that any nation has been "truly" Communist, as most countries which call themselves Communists are dictatorships.

It should be noted that many Western European nations are run by Socialist Governments, contain socialist parties or are organised around socialist lines. Even the more Conservative countries in Europe, such as Britain, have many socialist elements such as free healthcare for all citizens. No country in Western Europe is communist.

Answer 4

None. Communism/Socialism means the abolition of the wages system and establishment of a classless society, and will have to be at a global level.