Difference Between Collectivism and Communism

As we watch the world become a far more materially comfortable place, with technological developments and innovations transforming communications and conveniences of everyday life, we cannot help but figure what the world will be in the years to come. Although the society must be governed by rules, beliefs and practices, these often differ from one another leading to differences in degrees of market freedoms among nations around the globe. These are driven by ideologies that govern specific communities, such as collectivism and communism. In this article, we will look at the differences between these two terminologies. 

Collectivism

These are values that emphasize the goals and needs of a group as opposed to the desires and needs of each individual. These values often depend on the impact that a group of people play in each other’s identity. 

Among cultures that practice collectivism includes Asia, South America, Central America and Africa, with countries including China, Japan, Guatemala, Taiwan, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and India basing their cultures on the practice. 

Traits of collectivist cultures include; 

• The need to help others and work as a team
• Doing what’s best for society
• Everybody including communities and families has a role to play
• Social rules should focus on the needs of the community as opposed to personal needs

Collective cultures consider people good if they are helpful, generous, dependable and attentive to the needs of others in the community. 

Communism

Derived from the Latin word communis, this is an ideology that aims at establishing a socioeconomic order structured on the ideas of replacing private ownership as well as the profit-based economy with communal control and public ownership of natural resources and major means of production. 

It is a political, philosophical, economic and social ideology that aims to operate without the state, money and social classes and was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. 

To achieve the communist ideology, the two classes in the society are involved. These include the proletariat, who are the working class and comprise of the majority in the society and must work to survive and the bourgeoisie, who are the capitalists class and comprise of a minority group who derive profit from the working class. Through a revolution, the working class would be put in power and hence establish social ownership of the means of production. 

While communism is difficult to achieve, it has failed in nations that practice as it lacks a profit incentive among the community members not to mention laziness and corruption. 

Similarities between Collectivism and Communism

• Both govern how society should operate 
• Both were invented by Karl Marx

Differences between Collectivism and Communism

Definition

Collectivism refers to values that emphasize the goals and needs of a group as opposed to the desires and need s of each individual. On the other hand, communism refers to an ideology that aims at establishing a socioeconomic order structured on the ideas of replacing private ownership as well as the profit-based economy with communal control and public ownership of natural resources and major means of production. 

Relationships

While collectivism emphasizes strong, stable and long-lasting relationships among people in society, there is no mention of the type of relationships among people in society. 

Collectivism vs. Communism: Comparison Table 

Summary of Collectivism and Communism

Collectivism refers to values that emphasize the goals and needs of a group as opposed to the desires and need s of each individual. It emphasizes on strong, stable and long-lasting relationships among people in the society. On the other hand, communism refers to an ideology that aims at establishing a socioeconomic order structured on the ideas of replacing private ownership as well as the profit-based economy with communal control and public ownership of natural resources and major means of production. Both, however, govern how society should operate. 

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