Communalism vs. Communism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 9, 2023
Communalism focuses on shared ownership within a specific community, often based on religious or ethnic lines. Communism is a broader socio-economic system advocating classless society and communal ownership of means of production.
Difference Between Communalism and Communism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Communalism is primarily centered around shared ownership within specific communities such as religious or ethnic groups. Communism, on the other hand, is a broader system of governance and economics that aims for a classless society and communal ownership of production.
Communalism often bases its principles on pre-existing social fabrics, like faith or culture. Communism, however, aims to create a completely classless society based on the principles of Marxist theory, irrespective of pre-existing social divisions.
Communalism usually operates on a smaller scale, like villages or small communities. Communism has a broader scope and aims to apply its principles on a large scale, even globally, under a centralized authority.
In Communalism, governance may still have class or social hierarchies, simply distributed along lines of community membership. Communism vehemently opposes any such hierarchies and advocates for complete equality among its members.
Comparison Chart
Scale
Local or community-based
Large-scale, often national or global
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Basis
Often based on ethnicity, religion
Based on class struggle
Governance
Can have hierarchies within community
Aims for a classless society
Economic Model
Shared ownership within community
Communal ownership of production
Centralization
Generally decentralized
Centralized government often seen
Compare with Definitions
Communalism
Communalism refers to a social system where communities share ownership of resources.
The village thrived due to its strong sense of communalism.
Communism
Communism seeks to establish a stateless, classless society.
Communism's end goal is a global, classless society.
Communalism
Communalism can describe a political philosophy focused on communal ownership.
Communalism advocates for local governance.
Communism
Communism is a socio-economic system aiming for a classless society.
Communism seeks to eliminate class distinctions.
Communalism
Communalism is a form of governance based on communal assemblies.
Town meetings are a form of communalism.
Communism
Communism is a political ideology based on Marxist theory.
Communism aims to transition from capitalism to socialism and finally to communism.
Communalism
Communalism can also be a social theory prioritizing the community over the individual.
In communalism, community welfare takes precedence.
Communism
Communism advocates for communal ownership of production.
Under communism, factories are commonly owned.
Communalism
Communalism sometimes refers to tensions between religious or ethnic communities.
Communalism was rife in the region.
Communism
Communism may refer to various movements aiming to establish this form of society.
The Russian Revolution was a milestone in the spread of communism.
Communalism
Communalism is a political philosophy and economic system that integrates communal ownership and confederations of highly localized independent communities. Murray Bookchin, a prominent libertarian socialist, defined the communalism he developed as "a theory of government or a system of government in which independent communes participate in a federation" as well as "the principles and practice of communal ownership".
Communism
Communism (from Latin communis, 'common, universal') is a philosophical, social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a communist society, namely a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money, and, in some cases, the state. As such, communism is a specific form of socialism.
Communalism
Belief in or practice of communal ownership, as of goods and property.
Communism
A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.
Communalism
Strong devotion to the interests of one's own minority or ethnic group rather than those of society as a whole.
Communism
A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.
Communalism
The communal ownership of property.
Communism
The Marxist-Leninist doctrine advocating revolution to overthrow the capitalist system and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat that will eventually evolve into a perfectly egalitarian and communal society.
Communalism
Any social system based around a community.
Communism
Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.
Communalism
Stoking conflict or discrimination based on religious identity
Communism
Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.
Communalism
A French theory of government which holds that commune should be a kind of independent state, and the national government a confederation of such states, having only limited powers. It is advocated by advanced French republicans; but it should not be confounded with communism.
Communism
The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.
Communalism
The practice of communal living and common ownership
Communism
A scheme of equalizing the social conditions of life; specifically, a scheme which contemplates the abolition of inequalities in the possession of property, as by distributing all wealth equally to all, or by holding all wealth in common for the equal use and advantage of all.
Communalism
Loyalty and commitment to the interests of your own minority or ethnic group rather than to society as a whole
Communism
A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Communism
A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
Common Curiosities
Is Communalism generally local or global?
Typically local or community-based.
What is the main focus of Communalism?
Focuses on community-based shared ownership.
Is Communism generally local or global?
Generally aims to be global.
Can Communalism have social hierarchies?
Yes, often based on community membership.
What does Communism aim to achieve?
Aims for a classless society and communal ownership of resources.
Is religion important in Communalism?
Can be, especially if the community is formed on religious lines.
Is religion important in Communism?
Typically no, as it aims for a classless, often secular society.
Is Communalism centralized?
Typically not, it’s often decentralized.
Does Communalism focus on individual or community?
Focuses on community.
Does Communism allow social hierarchies?
No, it aims for a classless society.
Is Communism centralized?
Often yes, particularly in its governance.
Is Communalism based on Marxist theory?
Not necessarily, it can be based on various social theories.
Does Communism focus on individual or community?
Focuses on the community, but within a broader socio-economic context.
Is Communism based on Marxist theory?
Yes, largely based on Marxist principles.
Can Communalism lead to social divisions?
Yes, if it intensifies community identities at the expense of broader unity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
