Communism: A Very Short IntroductionOUP Oxford, 2009 M08 27 - 155 pages If now in decline since the tumultuous events of 1989, communism was without doubt the great political movement of the twentieth century--at its peak, more than a third of the world's population lived under communist rule--and it is still a powerful force in many areas of the world, most notably in the People's Republic of China. What is communism? Where did the idea come from and what attracted people to it? Is there a future for communism? This Very Short Introduction considers these questions and more in the search to explore and understand this controversial political force. Explaining the theory behind its ideology, and examining the history and mindset behind its political, economic and social structures, Leslie Holmes considers the evolution of communism from Marx's time, to its practice in the Bolshevik Revolution, to its collapse in 1989-91. Holmes highlights the inner dynamics, crises, and demise of communism as a global system, and introduces the major players in the communist world, including Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam. |
Contents
1 The theory of communism | 1 |
2 A brief history of communism in power | 17 |
3 The political system of communism | 52 |
4 The economic system of communism | 69 |
5 Social policies and structures of communism | 85 |
6 Communisms international allegiances | 102 |
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Common terms and phrases
according achieved adopted approach argued attempts authorities basic became become believed called capitalism central century challenge China Chinese citizens claimed clear collapse Communism Communist party Communist power Communist systems Communist world considered countries critical Czechoslovakia death democracy early East Eastern Europe economic elections emerged empire established European example existing expected fact final formally Germany Given Gorbachev growth Hungary important increased increasingly industrial initially invasion involved largely late leader leadership legitimation Lenin less lived major Marx Marxist means military Moreover Moscow move organization Pact particularly Poland political population position practice Press problems production rates reasons relations result Revolution revolutionary role rule Russian significant signs situation socialism socialist society sometimes soon Soviet Union Stalin tensions term theory University USSR usually Vietnam Warsaw West Western workers Yugoslavia