Many dictatorships usually rule in the form of a communist or socialist country. For this reason, it is common for there to be some confusion between these terms. On the one hand, a dictatorship is the regime in which power is in the hands of a single person. The communism , however, is a political-economic system that theoretically can fit almost all forms of government. For example, a dictatorship can be communist, like Venezuela under the government of Hugo Chávez. What is the difference between Dictatorship and Socialism?
Dictatorship |
Communism |
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| Definition | A dictatorship is the form of government in which power is in the hands of a single figure: the dictator. In a government of this type there is no division of powers, which is why it tends to be used to commit arbitrary acts such as benefiting minorities. | It is a theory or system of social organization based on the possession of almost all common property, with title in the name of the workers. |
| Who has the power? | In a dictatorship, power is in the hands of a single person; the dictator. | Each one gives according to their abilities and to whom according to their contributions. It is emphasized that profits must be shared between society or the workforce. This as a complement to the wages of the workers. The power is in the hands of everyone theoretically although it is common for there to be a figure in the highest command: a dictator, for example. |
| Examples | Some of the most famous dictatorships that have taken place throughout history include:
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The former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is often the most popular historical example of a communist state. However, the current classification of its economic system today classifies Russia under a form of centralized socialism. As for the countries that currently practice this form of government, there are Cuba, North Korea, China, Laos and Vietnam. What is the difference between Dictatorship and Socialism? |
