Anarcho-Communism vs. Anarcho-Socialism

Attribute	Anarcho-Communism	Anarcho-Socialism
Economic System	Collective ownership of the means of production	Collective ownership of the means of production
Government Structure	Stateless, decentralized decision-making	Stateless, decentralized decision-making
Focus on Equality	Emphasis on equality and distribution based on need	Emphasis on equality and distribution based on need
Role of Markets	Abolition of markets and money	Abolition of markets and money
Approach to Property	Abolition of private property	Abolition of private property

Definition

Anarcho-Communism is a political philosophy and anarchist school of thought that advocates the abolition of the state, capitalism, wage labor, and private property in favor of common ownership of the means of production. It seeks to create a society based on voluntary cooperation and mutual aid, where resources are distributed according to need. Anarcho-Socialism, on the other hand, is a similar ideology that also aims to abolish the state and capitalism, but places a greater emphasis on democratic decision-making and collective ownership of the means of production.

Means of Production

In Anarcho-Communism, the means of production are owned collectively by the community as a whole. This means that all resources and tools necessary for production are shared and managed by the people themselves, without the need for a central authority. Anarcho-Socialism, on the other hand, may allow for a more decentralized approach to ownership, with workers' cooperatives or community councils managing the means of production on a smaller scale.

Decision-Making

Both Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Socialism advocate for decentralized decision-making processes, where individuals and communities have a say in the decisions that affect them. However, Anarcho-Socialism tends to place a greater emphasis on democratic decision-making through consensus-based decision-making processes, while Anarcho-Communism may prioritize direct democracy or other forms of collective decision-making.

Role of the State

One of the key differences between Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Socialism is their approach to the role of the state. Anarcho-Communism seeks to abolish the state entirely, viewing it as a tool of oppression that perpetuates inequality and hierarchy. Anarcho-Socialism, on the other hand, may advocate for a transitional state or government to help facilitate the transition to a stateless society, with the ultimate goal of dismantling the state once it is no longer needed.

Equality and Justice

Both Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Socialism share a commitment to social justice and equality. They seek to create a society where all individuals have access to the resources they need to live a fulfilling life, free from exploitation and oppression. However, Anarcho-Communism may place a greater emphasis on the principle of "from each according to their ability, to each according to their need," while Anarcho-Socialism may focus more on the principle of "from each according to their contribution."

Revolutionary Strategy

When it comes to revolutionary strategy, Anarcho-Communism and Anarcho-Socialism may differ in their approaches. Anarcho-Communists may advocate for direct action, mutual aid, and grassroots organizing as the primary means of achieving social change, while Anarcho-Socialists may also see value in working within existing political structures or engaging in electoral politics to advance their goals. Ultimately, both ideologies seek to dismantle oppressive systems and create a more just and equitable society.