Socialist state

Map of socialist states in Eastern Europe.

A socialist state, as known to non-communists as a communist state, is a term used by Leninists and related tendencies to refer to states that had achieved the dictatorship of the proletariat. It is not to be confused with states which have achieved socialism as a socioeconomic system. Vladimir Lenin wrote that, "The term Soviet Socialist Republic implies the determination of the Soviet power to achieve the transition to socialism, and not that the existing economic system is recognized as a socialist order." The same could be said of the people's democracies, which did not yet exist in the time of Lenin.

Overview

Socialist states are countries where, according to Marxist–Leninists, the proletariat has achieved state power and is in the process of building socialism. The exact form of this proletarian rule diverges, but always include the hegemony of the vanguard party. The vanguard party may either be the leading party alongside other aligned parties (as is the case in People's democracy) or it may be the sole legal party.

Other characteristics of socialist states include the active expropriation of the bourgeoisie, development of a planned economy, collectivization of private ownership of the means of production, state atheism, etc. All of these are considered steps towards the ultimate overthrow of the bourgeoisie in all countries and the attainment of communism, or the higher stage of socialism.

See also

• State socialism