Introduction
Communism has long been a controversial political ideology. Some see it as an economy that promises equality and shared wealth, while others view it as a dangerous system that stifles individual freedom and leads to economic stagnation. Whatever your views on communism are, there’s no denying that it has had a significant impact on the world stage throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century.
In this article, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the world of communism. We’ll be exploring the different approaches of existing communist governments, the advantages and disadvantages of communism, and the current state of communism around the world.
5 Communist Countries You Might Not Know About
Before we dive into the topic at hand, it’s essential to understand what makes a country communist. At its core, communism advocates for a classless society in which all members of the community share equally in the means of production and distribution of wealth. This means that all property, including natural resources and productive assets, are collectively owned and controlled by the community at large.
While some countries, such as the Soviet Union and East Germany, were once household names for their communist governments, other countries quietly adopted communism as their political and economic system without gaining much international attention. Here are five countries that you may not have known were communist:
1. Laos
Since the fall of Soviet support, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has adopted a more market-oriented approach, blending socialism and capitalism, leading to a communist party straddling the capitalist and socialist worldviews.
2. North Korea
North Korea is an excellent example of a country that has adopted a highly centralized, totalitarian form of communism. The country has been ruled by the Kim family since the 1940s, and the current leader, Kim Jong-un, maintains strict control over all aspects of society.
3. Cuba
Cuba became a communist country in 1959 when Fidel Castro overthrew the U.S.-backed government. The country has since maintained a socialist planned economy, with the government controlling much of the country’s industries and resources.
4. Vietnam
After the Vietnam War, Vietnam became a communist country in 1975. However, in the implementation of its communism system, it attempted to introduce significant economic changes. The Party began liberalizing Vietnam’s economy in the late 1980s, introducing Đổi Mới, a set of economic reforms aiming to create a mixed economy by easing the state’s control on industry and trade.
5. China
China officially became a communist country in 1949 when the Communist Party of China seized control of the government in a bloody civil war. However, the country has since implemented a state capitalism approach that emphasizes economic growth and international trade.
The Evolution of Communism: A Look at the Few Remaining Communist Countries
Communism has changed significantly since its inception in the mid-19th century. While the basic principles of equality and collective ownership have remained the same, the practical implementation of communism has varied widely across different countries and time periods.
Today, only a handful of countries around the world are still officially communist. However, even among these countries, there are significant differences in how communism is practiced and what challenges they face. Let’s take a closer look.
Historical context of communism
Communism first emerged as a political philosophy in the mid-19th century, as a response to the revolutionary changes in the global economy and society brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Its core tenets included the abolition of private property and the creation of a classless society in which everyone works for the common good.
Overview of how communism has changed over time
Over the years, communism has taken many different forms as countries experimented with different approaches. For example, the Soviet Union implemented a highly centralized planned economy, while China and Vietnam have introduced market-oriented economic reforms in recent decades.
Examination of the current state of communism in the world
Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union and the global decline of communism, a handful of countries around the world still maintain some form of communist government. These countries include China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam.
Challenges faced by communist governments
Communist governments face a variety of challenges, including economic stagnation, political repression, and international isolation. Many people also criticize communism as an inherently flawed system that stifles individual liberty and leads to inefficiencies in the economy.
Communism in the 21st Century: A List of Current Communist Countries
The number of countries that currently practice communism is relatively small. Along with Laos and Vietnam, existing communist countries include China, Cuba, and North Korea.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam has adopted a mixed economy system, where the state still owns much of the economy but also allows some private enterprise. They have successfully integrated with the global economy, resulting in a steady growth in their economy in recent years.
2. China
China’s current government describes their approach as “socialism with Chinese characteristics,” where the government maintains tight control over certain sectors of the economy and encourages private enterprise in others. Underpinned by the idea of “state capitalism,” the government has been working towards developing significant levels of technological leadership on the global scale.
3. North Korea
North Korea is a highly centralized, totalitarian state where every aspect of people’s lives is controlled by the government under a unique ideology called Juche. The country is known for its isolationist policies and is under heavy sanctions by much of the international community.
4. Laos
Laos introduced several market-oriented economic reforms in the 1990s, but the government maintains control over much of the economy and political institutions, leaving critics to debate whether it remains wholly communist.
5. Cuba
Cuba still maintains a socialist planned economy with restrictions on private enterprise, and it relies heavily on Venezuelan subsidies to maintain its supply of energy. It continues to experience economic and political isolation from much of the international community, and critics suggest that the country has been struggling to remain relevant in the 21st century.
The Pros and Cons of Communism: A Breakdown of Existing Communist Governments
Communism remains a topic of intense debate and controversy, with advocates and skeptics on both sides. Supporters of communism argue that it provides a model for a more equitable society, while critics argue that it leads to political repression, economic stagnation, and a lack of individual freedom.
Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of existing communist governments:
1. China
Advantages:
- A fast-growing economy with developing technological leadership on the global stage
- Lower levels of economic inequality than many western capitalist democracies
- A centralized government, allowing swift and efficient implementation of policies.
Disadvantages:
- Heavy state censorship and lack of freedom of speech
- Socialism with Chinese characteristics, participating in levels of state capitalism
- State-led hypercapitalism which favors wealthy and politically connected.
2. North Korea
Advantages:
- High levels of social cohesion and low levels of crime
- Free healthcare and education services
- Government controlling all aspects of life, eliminating contentious issues like homelessness
Disadvantages:
- Heavy political repressions and lack of freedom
- Extreme poverty, poorly functioning infrastructure and agriculture
- No political accountability and abuses of power by leadership and party officials.
3. Cuba
Advantages:
- Strong emphasis on education and healthcare
- Low income inequality, resulting in greater wealth being shared across the population
- Nationalizing a significant amount of the industries prevented foreign ownership over resources.
Disadvantages:
- Limitations on free speech, expression and the press
- Tight government control of the population through the Communist Party
- Poverty, poor healthcare resulting from a lack of modern resources and a mixed economy
Why Some Countries Are Holding on to Communism: Examining the Last Standing Communist Countries
Despite the fall of the Soviet Union and the global decline of communism, a handful of countries still hold on to communism as their political and economic system. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at these countries and examine why they continue to hold onto communism.
Explanation of why certain countries cling to communism
Many of these countries cling to communism because of their ideological beliefs or because the system provides a sense of order and stability that they believe cannot be achieved through other forms of government.
Examination of the last standing communist countries
The countries that still hold onto communism include China, North Korea, and Cuba. Let’s take a closer look at each of these countries:
1. China
China is the world’s most populous country, and it has undergone significant economic reforms over the last few decades while maintaining a one-party communist government.
2. North Korea
North Korea is one of the world’s most repressive and isolated countries, with a strict totalitarian system that is centered around the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
3. Cuba
Cuba was under the leadership of Fidel Castro until his death in 2016. The country’s socialist government has maintained tight control over many aspects of Cuban life, despite an ongoing trade embargo by the United States which has led to a decline in the island’s economy.
Communism Today: Different Approaches and Impacts in the World’s Few Remaining Communist States
Communist governments around the world have adapted in different ways, leading to variations in approaches and impacts between countries. In this section, we’ll examine the different approaches and impacts in the world’s few remaining communist states.
Overview of how different countries approach communism
China’s state capitalism model emphasizes economic growth and global trade while maintaining tight control over key sectors of the economy. North Korea’s Juche ideology stresses self-reliance, political and economic isolation while Cuba has a relatively mixed economy alongside some socialist-run enterprises.
Examining the impact of communism in these countries
The impact of communism varies depending on the country in question. Some countries, like China, have seen rapid economic growth and huge investments in infrastructure. Others, like Cuba and North Korea, have experienced significant setbacks due to economic challenges and international isolation.
Some of the critical dimensions of impact include:
1. Economic Impact
Communist countries have usually fared poorly when compared to capitalist economies, with low economic output, high levels of poverty, and a lack of technological innovation hindering many communist countries’ financial prosperity.
2. Social Impact
The social impact has been mixed. Some communist countries such as Cuba and Laos have implemented well-regarded healthcare and educational systems, while others such as North Korea have been accused of serious human rights abuses.