Communism Vs. Democracy

The original system of society is communism, which differs from Democracy in several aspects. Total democracy isn't widely spread through out the world, but there several forms of it.

One of the biggest trade make of communism states is their population's heavy involvement in political life. (Encarta) It's said that mostly the youth would enroll themselves into party-contrlled organizations. Truthfully, participation in state elections was mandatory and almost impossible to avoid. Most elections have almost perfect attendance reaching one hundred percent in most cases. In all schools, communist political classes are organized to follow students, weather they go into the armed forces or go to a university. Communist leaders override individual rights as interpreted by the state. Note this example from Lisa Ling,"I have never felt my personal freedom limited as much as it was during our time in North Korea. North Korea is usually off limits to foreigners- especially to Americans."(Lisa Ling is a reporter with Nation Geographic.) Ling's feelings are all too often felt by the citizens stuck in Communist countries such the one Ling visited -she posed as a doctor's assistant to get the inside story on what actually is going on in North Korea, as journalists aren't allowed in . Most Communist countries feel that any type of relaxation on controls may push individuals to find larger freedoms in which citizens would eventually challenge the single party system set in place.

Contrary to communism, democracy has existed since ancient times, and they are more successful politically than communist regimes. There several reasons why they work better then Communist forms of governments. A few of the most important features include individual freedom ,which entitles citizens to the liberty and the responsibility to shape their own careers and conduct their own affairs; equality before the law ;and universal suffrage and education.(Encarta) These fundamental ideas are express out right in historical documents such as the United States Declaration of Independence. In which, guarantees all its citizens the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Modern Communism builds upon the principals of Marxism-Leninism. This builds on the early works of Marx and Engles; it is the belief that history advances by means of class struggle, always nudged in a benign direction by the leadership of a communist party.(Encarta) In reality ,these Communism regimes are more of a doctoral type of government which shows little, if not ,no attention to the working class. With this continued indifference by a Communist regime in control, it will experience its citizen questioning the government.

In a democracy, however, every citizen has an equal say in government.

Simply, democracies are around to serve the people. (Not the other way around like communism) Most of the people in these positions are elected by the people and are for the people. Unlike communist regimes,