Communism vs. Nazism: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on December 25, 2023
Communism is a socio-economic ideology advocating for a classless, stateless society, while Nazism is a fascist ideology promoting racial superiority and authoritarianism.
Key Differences
Communism seeks to establish a classless society through collective ownership of production, contrasting with Nazism, which emphasizes racial hierarchy and strong nationalist sentiments.
The communist ideology promotes economic equality and aims to abolish private property, whereas Nazism, or National Socialism, combines extreme nationalism with dictatorial rule.
Communism, as envisioned by Marx, proposes a stateless society, in stark contrast to the totalitarian state central to Nazism, led by a dictatorial leader.
In terms of governance, communism advocates for a collective leadership, diverging sharply from the autocratic and charismatic leadership typical of Nazism.
While communism aspires for international solidarity among the working class, Nazism focuses on nationalistic and often xenophobic policies.
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Comparison Chart
Economic System
Collective ownership
State-controlled with private ownership
Political Structure
Classless, stateless society
Totalitarian, dictatorial state
Ideological Basis
Marxism, class struggle
Fascism, racial superiority
Leadership Style
Collective leadership
Autocratic, charismatic leader
International Relations
International solidarity
Nationalistic, xenophobic
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Communism and Nazism Definitions
Communism
A system abolishing private property.
Communism advocates for public ownership of production.
Nazism
An ideology of racial supremacy.
Nazism propagated the idea of an Aryan master race.
Communism
A goal of stateless global society.
Communism envisions a future without national borders.
Nazism
A political system opposing communism.
Nazism arose as a staunch enemy of communist ideology.
Communism
A theory advocating worker control.
Under communism, workers collectively manage factories.
Nazism
A form of fascist totalitarianism.
In Nazism, the state exercises absolute control.
Communism
A movement for proletarian rule.
Communism seeks to overthrow capitalist systems.
Nazism
An ideology with extreme nationalism.
Nazism promoted aggressive national expansion.
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.
Nazism
A system with a dictatorial leader.
Nazism is known for its strong, autocratic leadership.
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.
Nazism
The ideology and practice of the Nazis, especially the policy of racist nationalism, national expansion, and state control of the economy.
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.
Nazism
Alternative case form of Nazism
Communism
Any far-left political ideology or philosophy advocating holding the production of resources collectively, especially by seizing it through revolution.
Nazism
A form of socialism featuring racism and expansionism
Communism
Any political social system that implements a communist political philosophy.
Communism
The international socialist society where classes, money, and the state no longer exist.
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.
Communism
A form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Communism
A political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society
Communism
An ideology for a classless society.
In communism, resources are owned collectively.
FAQs
What is a key feature of Nazism’s economic policy?
Nazism maintained state control while allowing private property.
How does communism view private property?
Communism seeks to abolish private property for collective ownership.
What distinguishes Nazism politically?
Nazism is characterized by its fascist, totalitarian government.
Does communism have a specific leadership style?
Communism advocates for collective leadership, unlike autocratic systems.
What is the core idea of communism?
Communism centers on creating a classless, stateless society.
How does Nazism approach racial issues?
Nazism promotes racial superiority and purity.
What role does nationalism play in Nazism?
Nationalism is a central element in Nazism, often expressed through xenophobia.
Is communism aligned with any economic system?
Communism aligns with socialism, advocating collective economic systems.
Did Nazism support international cooperation?
Nazism generally opposed international cooperation, favoring national interests.
How does Nazism view other races or ethnicities?
Nazism typically regards other races as inferior or enemies.
What’s the communist view on class structure?
Communism seeks to eliminate all class distinctions.
How do communists view capitalism?
Communists typically view capitalism as exploitative and seek its overthrow.
What was the role of propaganda in Nazism?
Propaganda played a key role in spreading Nazi ideology and policies.
How did Nazism affect cultural and social life?
Nazism imposed strict controls on cultural and social life, aligning them with its ideology.
What is the communist stance on international relations?
Communism promotes international solidarity among workers.
Can communism coexist with a state?
Traditional communism aims for a stateless society, unlike most government systems.
How did Nazism impact global politics?
Nazism significantly influenced global politics in the early 20th century, leading to WWII.
Are there different forms of communism?
Yes, there are various interpretations and applications of communist ideology.
Can communism be democratic?
Some forms of communism advocate for democratic processes within a socialist framework.
Did Nazism have a global or national focus?
Nazism primarily focused on national interests and expansion.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
