List of socialist countries

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This is a combined map of all countries who declared themselves to be socialist states under any definition, at some point in their history, color-coded for the number of years that the territory in question claimed to be a socialist:
  Over 65 years
  50 - 65 years
  40 - 50 years
  30 - 40 years
  20 - 30 years
  10 - 20 years
  Under 10 years
Click on image to magnify.

This is a list of countries, past and present, that declared themselves socialist either in their names or their constitutions. No other criteria are used; thus, some or all of these countries may not fit any specific definition of socialism. Their only common feature is using the label "socialist" for themselves, under any interpretation. There are few, if any, definitions of socialism that could fit all the countries on this list. However, most definitions of socialism fit at least some of these countries at some points in their histories.

There are many countries that have been ruled by socialist political parties for extended periods of time without ever adopting socialism as an official ideology in their names or constitutions. Such countries are not listed here. However, see the article on the Socialist International for an up-to-date list of countries that are currently ruled by member parties of the SI (the largest present day organization of socialist political parties).

Conversely, there are some countries that maintain constitutional references to socialism without being currently ruled by a socialist political party. Those countries are included on this list.

Contents

[edit] Marxist-Leninist

A map showing states who currently declare themselves to be Marxist-Leninist.
A map of countries who declared themselves to be socialist states under the Marxist-Leninist definition (in the west known as, "Communist states") at some point in their history. The map uses then-current borders. Note that not all of these countries were Marxist-Leninist at the same time.

These countries known as "Communist states" in the east, because their ruling parties generally use the name "Communist Party of [country]."[citation needed] However, the countries themselves are referred to as socialist republics, not communist, in their own constitutions. They are defined by a form of government in which the state operates under a one-party system and declares allegiance to the ideology of Marxism-Leninism.[citation needed] In accordance with Marxism-Leninism, the constitutions of these countries claim that all power belongs to the working class, that a democratic dictatorship of the proletariat has been implemented within their borders, and that they are building socialism, with the goal of achieving communism one day.

[edit] Current

[edit] Former

[edit] Non-Marxist-Leninist

These are countries whose constitutions make references to socialism, but do not subscribe to Marxist-Leninist ideology. As such, they represent a wide variety of different interpretations of the term socialism. Countries such as Egypt and Libya, for example, have adopted different versions of Arab socialism as their ideology at some point in their history. Tanzania, on the other hand, adopted African socialism as its official doctrine.

Map showing countries whose constitutions contained some references to socialism (under a non-Marxist definition) at some point in their history.

[edit] Constitutional references

[edit] Former

[edit] Ephemeral

These are short-lived political entities that emerged during wars or revolutions (mostly in the aftermath of World War I) and declared themselves to be socialist under some interpretation of the term, but did not survive long enough to create a stable government or achieve international recognition.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Constitution of the People's Republic of China: "Both the victory of China's new-democratic revolution and the successes of its socialist cause have been achieved by the Chinese people of all nationalities under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and by upholding truth, correcting errors and overcoming numerous difficulties and hardships."
  2. ^ Constitution of the Republic of Cuba: WE, CUBAN CITIZENS, heirs and continuators of the creative work and the traditions of combativity, firmness, heroism and sacrifice fostered (...) by those who promoted, joined and developed the first organizations of workers and peasants, spread socialist ideas and founded the first Marxist and Marxist-Leninist movements."
  3. ^ Answers.com - Is Laos a communist country today?
  4. ^ Laos Salutes Cuban Communist Congress - AHURA.CU ENGLISH
  5. ^ 21st Century Communism - Laos on Emphas.is
  6. ^ Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: "The Communist party of Vietnam (...), who adheres to Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, is the force assuming leadership of the state and society."
  7. ^ Constitution of Bangladesh, Preamble: Further pledging that it shall be a fundamental aim of the State to realise through the democratic process to socialist society [...];
  8. ^ The Constitution of Guyana, 1980 with 1996 reforms, Article 1: Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism [..].
  9. ^ Kim Il Sung described Juche as "a creative application of Marxism-Leninism in the conditions of our country" (CW, Vol 27, p501)[1]
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ [3]
  12. ^ [4]
  13. ^ [5]
  14. ^ Constitution of Portugal, Preamble: The Constituent Assembly affirms the Portuguese people's decision to defend their national independence, safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens, establish the basic principles of democracy, secure the primacy of the rule of law in a democratic state, and open the way to socialist society, respecting the will of the Portuguese people [...].
  15. ^ Constitution of Syria, Article 1: (1) The Syrian Arab Republic is a democratic, popular, socialist, and sovereign state.
  16. ^ Constitution of Tanzania, Article 1: The United Republic is a democratic and socialist state which adheres to multi-party democracy.
  17. ^ [6]
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