Final answer:
Democracy is a system where citizens vote and influence governance, promoting individual freedom and capitalism. Communism involves state ownership of resources aimed at equality but often leads to authoritarian rule. The practice of democracy today typically involves republic elements with representative government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary differences between democracy and communism revolve around the concepts of governance and economic structure. In a democracy, the government is typically elected by the people, with citizens having the right to vote and express their opinions, which in turn influences the direction of the country. Contrarily, communism involves the common ownership of property, means of production, and resources, with the state often controlling these aspects with the aim of preventing exploitation and achieving equality. However, in practice, communist governments have often been led not by the proletariat but by an authoritarian regime.
​While democracy supports individual freedom and a capitalist economy that relies on individual entrepreneurship and private ownership, communism seeks to remove income inequality through government control and possibly the abolition of currency. Unfortunately, this has historically led to human rights violations and repression by those in power within communist states. Conversely, democracy, particularly in its liberal form, allows for a pluralistic society where freedom of action is highly valued, and it is closely associated with capitalist economic practices.
It is important to note that there are variations of democracy, such as a republic, where the government is not a direct democracy but rather consists of representatives chosen by citizens. Over time, the definition of democracy has often melded with the concept of a republic, especially in large-scale modern democracies.
Most developed nations today practice some form of democracy, providing citizens with an equal say and potentially reducing the risk of a ruling oligarchy. Yet, like any system, democracy has its flaws and challenges, including representation issues and the influence of wealth in politics.