| Goals | Overthrow capitalism • Create egalitarian, worker-controlled society |
| Legacy | Social welfare, labor protections (less repression than other regions) |
| Originated | Europe, mid-19th century |
| Key thinkers | |
| Early adopters | |
| European models | More decentralized, democratic compared to Soviet Marxism-Leninism |
Communism is a political, economic, and social system based on the principle of common ownership of property and the organization of society around the fair distribution of resources. Originating in 19th century Europe, communist thought and movements have had a significant impact on global affairs, though their trajectory has varied greatly between different regions and manifestations.
The philosophical foundations of communism were laid by thinkers like Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon in the 1840s and 1850s. Drawing on the radical egalitarian ideas of the French Revolution, they argued that the inherent exploitative nature of capitalism and private property must be abolished in order to create a more just, classless society.
While Marx envisioned a violent proletarian revolution to overthrow the bourgeoisie, Proudhon and others promoted more gradual, democratic reforms. Both wings, however, shared a core belief in the need to reorganize the economy around the collective ownership and control of the means of production by workers.
The first significant communist movements and parties emerged in Western European countries like France, Germany, and Italy in the 1860s and 1870s. Inspired by the Paris Commune of 1871, these groups sought to elect socialist and communist candidates and pass legislation to gradually implement communist economic and social policies.
Unlike the authoritarian, centralized model that would later develop in the Soviet Union, Western European communists embraced decentralized, federated structures that preserved some elements of a market economy and democratic governance. This "democratic socialism" model found success in local and regional elections, influencing the development of robust social safety nets and labor protections across Europe.
As communist ideas spread to other parts of Europe and the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they took on diverse forms and levels of radicalism. In Eastern Europe, communist parties espoused more Marxist-Leninist doctrines and succeeded in establishing one-party states, most notably in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
In contrast, communist and socialist parties in Scandinavia, Benelux, and parts of Mediterranean Europe retained democratic structures and were incorporated into multiparty parliamentary systems. These "Eurocommunist" models focused on gradual reforms to move towards a "mixed economy" balancing elements of capitalism and socialism.
Where communist parties were able to gain power, either through elections or revolution, they generally enacted policies to nationalize major industries, collectivize agriculture, and redistribute wealth and resources. However, the specific approaches and outcomes varied widely.
In France, the communist-led government in the 1930s oversaw the nationalization of banks and key industries, the establishment of a national health service, and the introduction of paid vacation time and the 40-hour work week. Conversely, the communist dictatorship in Poland was marked by economic stagnation, political repression, and human rights abuses.
Communists also had a major impact on social and cultural spheres, challenging traditional hierarchies around class, gender, and race. They expanded access to education and emphasized secularism, modernism, and internationalism in the arts.
The spread of communist ideas and governments has historically been in tension with the capitalist economic model and liberal democratic political systems dominant in the West. Capitalist powers have often sought to contain or undermine communist movements, both at home and abroad.
At the same time, many European communist parties have shown a capacity to coexist with market economies and parliamentary democracy, seeking to reform rather than overthrow the system. This has led to an ongoing ideological and policy debate over the proper role of the state, the market, and collective ownership in a modern society.
While the monolithic communist states of the 20th century have largely collapsed, the influence of communist thought and policies can still be felt across Europe today. Universal healthcare, strong labor unions, progressive taxation, and comprehensive social welfare systems all bear the imprint of communist and socialist ideas.
Moreover, the egalitarian principles and anti-capitalist critiques of communism continue to inspire new waves of left-wing, anti-establishment political movements. From environmentalism to anti-globalization, many contemporary progressive causes trace their origins back to the communist tradition. As such, the legacy of communism remains a subject of fierce debate, reverence, and resistance.
