Generally speaking socialism and communism are synonymous.

1. 'Con says "The main difference there is that Baptists and Methodists are both subgroups of Christianity, what are Socialism and Communism subgroups of?" Baptists and Methodists both derive from the Bible and Christ"s teachings. Communism and Socialism both derive from Marx and Friedrick Engles.' Alright, I admit, you are correct there, however, Baptists and Methodists are not generally synonymous, even if they're subgroups of a particular ideology, they have different beliefs and are therefore not generally synonymous. If you study Marxist theory, you will find that socialism is the first step in the transition to communism, it is not the same system. We could choose an example of an absolute monarchy going to a constitutional monarchy and eventually to a republic. The progression of thesis-antithesis-synthesis is the core component of marxist theory. 2.'Con says in regard to what Communism and Socialism have in common" "Irrelevant what they have in common. Fascism and Socialism have some common elements as well, does that mean they are synonymous?" It is highly relevant as the resolve is that they are synonymous. Fascism and Socialism have significantly less in common. The Core tenets of Socialism and Communism are identical.' They are not...as I explained before. Many core elements are replaced with more extreme policies. 3.'Con says of using a thesauris"It's useless because different thesauri have different definition. This resolution stands on the basis of socialist theory in opposition to communist theory. The problem here is that this resolution is called 'Generally speaking socialism and communism are synonymous' When it comes to complex and strict ideologies, generally synonymous would mean they do not oppose each other in any area (or oppose each other in very irrelevant areas)" We have already clearly defined what generally synonymous means in this debate. To "not oppose each other in any area" does not fit the definition.' Read what I said in the brackets. Generally synonymous would mean they have very little disagreements and offgoings. Communism and socialism are different points in progression of thesis-antithesis-synthesis. 4.'Con says "If they were truly synonymous they would have theses in addition to the already established ideology. Communism does not build upon socialism, communism opposes socialism in many of the main policies of socialism." Communism does build on socialism. The communist manifesto "briefly features their (Marx, Engels) ideas for how the capitalist society of the time would eventually be replaced by socialism, and then eventually communism."(1)' Precisely! I've made this argument above. The fact that communism is the stage of a post-capitalist and post-socialist society furthers my point. A constitutional monarchy and a republic are not generally synonymous... That does not mean it builds on socialism, it means it succeedes socialism. Building upon socialism would mean having the exact same policies and adding a some that socialism does not include or includes very loosely. Capitalism-socialism-communism. 5.'Concluding remarks: First I would like to again thank Benko for accepting this debate. Second I will summarize the core tenets of Socialism and Communism Socialism: 1: Classless society 2: Government Control of the means of production 3: Absence of private property 4: Equal earnings, medical care, and other necessities Communism: 1: Classless society 2: Government control of the means of production 3: Absence of private property 4: Standard of equality " economically and socially Third I will conclude as I did in round 2 It is clear when observing the definitions and summaries of communism and socialism that they are generally synonymous. The resolution stands! Vote Pro! Thanks for reading!' I would like to thank you for making it. Socialism: 1.From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution, 2.Emphasis on profit being distributed among the society or workforce to complement individual wages/salaries, 3.The means of production are owned by public enterprises or cooperatives, 4.Individuals are compensated based on the principle of individual contribution, 5.Production may variously be coordinated through either economic planning or markets.[1] Communism: 1. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, 2.Free-access to the articles of consumption is made possible by advances in technology that allow for super-abundance, 3.The means of production are held in common, negating the concept of ownership in capital goods, 4.Production is organized to provide for human needs directly without any use for money, 5.Communism is predicated upon a condition of material abundance.[2] The resolution is predicated around loose terms and double standards. Vote con! [1]http://en.wikipedia.org... [2]http://en.wikipedia.org...