Council Communism vs Marxism
Council communism is a Marxist current that holds that workers should govern themselves directly through elected workers' councils, rejecting both parliamentary socialism and the Leninist vanguard party.
- The emancipation of the working class must be the work of workers themselves.
- Workers' councils, with delegates who can be recalled at any time, should run production and society.
- Political parties should not take power on behalf of the working class.
Marxism is a theory of history and society that analyzes capitalism through class conflict and expects it to be replaced by a classless, collectively owned economy.
- Historical materialism: the way a society produces goods shapes its laws, politics and ideas.
- History moves through class struggle between groups with opposed economic interests.
- Under capitalism, workers produce more value than they receive in wages, and owners keep the surplus.
- Council Communism: petals and stars
- Marxism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Authority75 points apart
Council Communism: Democratic (strong). Marxism: Democratic (mild).
- Structure60 points apart
Council Communism: Local (moderate). Marxism: Central (mild).
- Security40 points apart
Council Communism: Liberty (moderate). Marxism: Balanced.
- Culture15 points apart
Council Communism: Multicultural (strong). Marxism: Multicultural (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Trade · 0 apart
- Religion · 0 apart
- Technology · 5 apart
Axis by axis
Marxism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipStrong: Public100%0%PublicPrivate
- MarketsStrong: Planned98%2%PlannedFree
- WelfareStrong: Shared93%7%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityStrong: Democratic93%7%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Liberty70%30%LibertyOrder
- StructureModerate: Local70%30%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Progressive73%27%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionStrong: Secular93%7%SecularReligious
- TechnologyModerate: Embrace73%27%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: Multicultural88%12%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeMild: Global60%40%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Cooperation83%17%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Council Communism or Marxism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Council Communism or Marxism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Council Communism vs Marxism
What is the difference between Council Communism and Marxism?
Council communism is a Marxist current that holds that workers should govern themselves directly through elected workers' councils, rejecting both parliamentary socialism and the Leninist vanguard party. Marxism is a theory of history and society that analyzes capitalism through class conflict and expects it to be replaced by a classless, collectively owned economy. On the 12 axes they differ most on authority, structure, security.
What do Council Communism and Marxism have in common?
Their positions are closest on trade, religion, technology. Overall their profiles are a 84% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Council Communism or Marxism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.