What is communism?
Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community, rather than by individual capitalists.
The concept of communism was first developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century and has since been implemented in various forms in countries around the world.
What countries are communist?
By 2023, the following countries currently consider themselves to be socialist or communist states: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam.
China
The Communist Party of China was founded in 1921, and in 1949, the People’s Republic of China was established under the leadership of Mao Zedong.
During Mao’s reign, the Chinese economy was based on a Soviet-style planned economy, and the government-controlled virtually all aspects of citizens’ lives.
After Mao’s death, Deng Xiaoping came to power and introduced market-oriented reforms that led to significant economic growth.
Today, China is considered a mixed economy with elements of capitalism and socialism.
Cuba
The communist revolution in Cuba took place in 1959, led by Fidel Castro. The country established a planned economy with nationalized industries, and the government-controlled most aspects of citizens’ lives.
However, the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led to a severe economic crisis in Cuba, and the country has since implemented some market-oriented reforms to revive the economy.
Laos
The Laotian People’s Democratic Republic was established in 1975 after a communist revolution, and the country has since followed a planned economy with nationalized industries.
The government controls many aspects of citizens’ lives, but in recent years has made efforts to attract foreign investment and open up the economy.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was established in 1948 after the end of Japanese rule.
The country has a highly centralized planned economy, and the government controls nearly every aspect of citizens’ lives. It is considered one of the world’s most repressive and closed societies.
Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam was founded in 1930, and after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, the country was reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The country has a planned economy with nationalized industries, and the government controls many aspects of citizens’ lives. However, in recent years, the country has made efforts to attract foreign investment and open up the economy.
It’s important to note that these countries have adapted the ideology in their unique ways, and the form of communism in each country may differ significantly from others. Additionally, some of these countries have implemented market-oriented reforms and moved away from strict adherence to communist principles.
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