SOCIALISM: An economic system and theory according to which the masses of production, distribution and exchange are owned and controlled by the people (i.e., by the government). Its goal (in human theory) is a fairer and more equitable distribution of the wealth of a country. Socialism is found today in Britain, Western Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and elsewhere. Features of socialism in these nations include the nationalization of certain industries, publicly owned housing, comprehensive welfare systems, etc.
Socialism may come 1) through revolution, or 2) people may choose to give their government more control over the means of production and distribution of wealth through democratic means. Socialism developed as a reaction against the abuses of capitalism, triggered by the inhuman working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.
Communists use the term "socialism" to describe the way of life in present Soviet society (see "Communism").
CAPITALISM: An economic system characterized by private or corporation ownership of the means of production. Investments are determined by private decision rather than by state control. Prices, production and distribution of goods are determined mainly in a free market, i.e., by competition. Features of both capitalism and socialism may coexist in the same nation.
COMMUNISM: A term used to denote the theory advocating the elimination of private property, with goods owned in common and available to all as needed.
The term came to prominence in 1848 with the publication of the Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels. In political terms, the word "communist" refers to the Communist Party created by Lenin in 1918. It is an outgrowth of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party founded in 1898. In 1903, this party split into so-called majority (Bolshevik) and minority (Menshevik) factions. Both sought to achieve "socialism" as defined by Karl Marx. But the Bolsheviks under Lenin fought for a small, secret organization and the immediate and violent overthrow of government. The Mensheviks were more like the Social Democratic parties in Western Europe, which believed in bringing about socialism gradually and legally through ballot, trade unions, and a large, open party. In 1918, Lenin renamed his Bolshevik group the Communist Party.
Communists believe that their first task is the establishment of "socialism," and that the final stage is true communism. They say that under socialism they give effect to the principle, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his work," and that there are still distinctions between classes. (The social order found in Russia today, which we call "communism," is termed "socialism" by communist writers) Under communism (which they have not yet attained in its pure form), social life would be guided by the principle, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." At that time, communists believe, class, labor, and property distinctions will, disappear. Eventually the machinery of government will no longer be needed, and the state will wither away.
The doctrines of Marx and Engels are ambiguous on many points, and consequently have given rise to various interpretations. The Soviet Union and China, for example, differ violently in their interpretations of Marxism.
The terms "Marxist" and "communist" are often used interchangeably. The nations of Angola and Mozambique, for example, are usually termed "Marxist" by the press, though "communist" would also be accurate. Often the term "communist" implies to many people a connection with the Soviet Union, which may or may not be true.”Communist" Albania, for example, is more closely associated with China than with Russia. One has to examine the history and makeup of the government of each nation in question to accurately determine its international connections and its particular brand of ideology.
The above, condensed and very briefly stated, is what HUMAN THINKING has led to. Leaders in community affairs, government, politics and economics must always appear to be public benefactors. They must be seeking to work out that system, theory, ism, government or whatever, that is "FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE." Or supposedly so. They do not, under human nature which ALL have imbibed, admit to self-motivated or self-advantageous intentions.
Remember, Satan is the arch deceiver. This world has been deceived into thinking 1) a devil does not exist; 2) that, if there be a God, he (Satan) is that god — called in the Bible "the god of this world." Indeed, in one way or another, he is the god of every man-made religion. All oppose the LAW OF GOD on which the GOVERNMENT OF GOD is built.
Remember, too, that man was made with a "human spirit" which imparts the power of intellect to the physical brain. That constitutes the overwhelming difference between human MIND and animal BRAIN. The mental or intellectual output of human MIND is perhaps millions of times greater than that of animal BRAIN — though there are degrees of output of intelligence in different humans, and also in different animals.
But in man is the ONE spirit. That spirit cannot see. The physical BRAIN sees through the eye. The physical BRAIN hears through the ear. The human spirit does not, independently of itself, THINK. The physical BRAIN thinks. The spirit contains all memory programmed into it (like a computer) as knowledge enters the BRAIN through the eye, ear, senses of feel and touch, smell and taste. The spirit supplies the physical BRAIN with instant recall, making THINKING and REASONING possible.
But the GREAT DIFFERENCE between man and God is that normal MAN, with his one human spirit, can receive and be conscious of ONLY physical knowledge.
Spiritual knowledge cannot be seen, heard, felt, smelled or tasted. The most intellectual, therefore, filled with PHYSICAL knowledge and reasoning and beliefs, really think that NOTHING EXISTS outside of MATTER. There is nothing spiritual — there is NO GOD — so they believe.
UNDERSTAND THIS! IS the foundation Of ALL UNDERSTANDING!
II is explained in I Corinthians 2:9-14: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart [mind] of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [Only physical knowledge comes through these physical senses.] But God hath revealed them unto us [those who have His Holy Spirit] by his Spirit. . . . For what man knoweth the things of a man [that is, what man can understand or know HUMAN PHYSICAL KNOWLEDGE — 'the things of man' referring to knowledge possessed by humans, but NOT by animals] save the spirit of man which is in him?" Notice the "spirit of man" is NOT the man — it is something other than the man himself that is IN him. He does not receive his LIFE from this spirit, but from blood and the breath of life. He receives human KNOWLEDGE by this spirit, not human LIFE. This is not an "immortal soul."
Continue: ". . . Even so [that is, in like manner] the things of God [that is, SPIRITUAL knowledge] knoweth NO MAN, but by the Spirit of God."
Human man has been given one spirit, which I term the "human spirit." This spirit empowers the physical brain with intellect — makes possible physical KNOWLEDGE — thinking, reasoning, making decisions and choices. But it confines the man to physical knowledge.
Man was made to NEED a second spirit — the HOLY SPIRIT of God — which when added to his human spirit opens his mind to comprehend SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE — the THINGS OF GOD!
That is why the most learned among men — university professors, educators, world leaders — are often the MOST IGNORANT of humans — for they are entirely SHUT OFF from spiritual KNOWLEDGE.
Note further: "But the natural man [even the GREAT Of this world] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."