Final answer:
Communism promotes common ownership and central planning of the economy, while democracy allows for various economic systems and prioritizes individual rights and freedoms. Communism is associated with a single-party rule, while democracy is characterized by multi-party systems and free elections.
Step-by-step explanation:
In theory, communism promotes common ownership of all property, means of production, and materials. This means that the government, or states, should own the property, farms, manufacturing, and businesses. By controlling these aspects of the economy, Communist governments can prevent the exploitation of workers while creating an equal society. On the other hand, democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives. In a democracy, citizens have individual rights and freedoms, and decisions are made through voting and majority rule.
There are several key differences between communism and democracy:
- Economic System: Communism promotes collective ownership and central planning of the economy, whereas democracy allows for various economic systems, including free market capitalism.
- Individual Rights and Freedoms: Communism often restricts individual rights and freedoms in order to prioritize the collective good, while democracy prioritizes individual rights and freedoms as protected by a constitution or bill of rights.
- Political System: Communism is typically associated with a single-party system or one-party rule, where the government controls all political aspects, while democracy is characterized by multi-party systems and free elections.