Capitalism is the economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry is dominated and controlled by a minority of individuals referred to as the capitalist class. The system mainly depends on the exchange of goods and services for money. In capitalism, the power of the government is limited giving the entrepreneurs full freedom to control their own businesses; this provides them with incentive to work and gain more profit benefiting the country and increasing the economic growth within it. Capitalism may appear like the ideal system, however, unless you are of the capitalist class, it is not in your favour.
Marxism
Marxism is a philosophy based on the ideologies of Karl Marx, a german philosopher and influential socialist, and Fredric Engels; it revolves around the conflict between different classes. Marx strongly believed that the root of class struggle is capitalism, as it exploits the working class. When he was younger he joined a movement called the Young Hegelians who criticized the political and cultural establishments of the day. Then in 1848 him and Engels published the revolutionary "Communist Manifesto", in which the concept of socialism was first introduced.
Socialism
Socialism is an economic and social system in which most of a country's property is owned and controlled by the citizens thus eliminating private property and the concept of societal classes in addition to putting an end to the exploitation and alienation of the working class. Socialism also promotes religious, job and marriage freedom. Marx considered socialism as one of the first stages needed to achieve communism.
Communism
Communism is an economic system based off of Marx’s initial ideology. Communism eradicates all forms of private ownership and puts the power in the hands of the government. All citizens are completely equal and class distinctions are diminished. Even religion is abolished, so that the citizens’ beliefs would be identical. Marx believed that communism was the solution to resolving class conflict and struggle; he assumed that once communism has been attained, humankind could then “develop to its fullest potential”.
Stalinism and Leninism
Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin were two of the most influential figures in Russian history. Lenin rose to power after 1922’s coup d’état, when the Bolshevik party finally overthrew the czar. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was founded by Vladimir Lenin, starting off as a community built mostly upon socialist ideals. However, it began to lean more heavily towards communism as time went by, especially after Joseph Stalin came to power. Joseph Stalin succeeded Lenin in 1929, slowly climbing the ladder of power over the years, until he finally became the all-powerful dictator of Russia. Stalin ruled the USSR from 1929 until 1953. Under his rule, the Russians were all but stripped of their freedom due to his totalitarian approach. Stalin had complete control over the media, and strictly enforced laws were put into place, prohibiting anyone from uttering a word against the supreme leader; Joseph Stalin.
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