Question

What is the core difference between communism and socialism?

Answer 1

Socialism and communism are very similar, but it's probably easiest to think of communism as the most extreme version of socialism.

One key difference is that socialism advocates the distribution of resources based on how much one contributes to society, but it doesn't completely throw out capitalism as a stepping stone towards that goal. Instead, it hopes that society will self-manage the economy with individuals treated as equals. Private ownership should eventually be done away with so that workers can avoid exploitation, but it's a means to an end. That's the simplified version.

Communism takes it a step further by being both a political movement as well as pushing towards a more direct approach to changing society. While it also wants to argue against private companies and ownership, it takes the more extreme view of doing away with capitalism completely -- to communists, it's not so much of a stepping stone as it is an obstacle to their ultimate goals.

Answer 2

There is no private property in communism. Socialism does not abandon the concept or private property.