List of socialist states: Difference between revisions
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===Former states=== |
===Former states=== |
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* {{Flag icon|Nazi Germany}} [[National Socialist Germany]] (''Deutsches Reich'') (1933-1945), now [[Germany]] |
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* {{Flag icon|United Arab Republic}} [[United Arab Republic]] (''Al-Jumhūrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Muttaḥidah'') (1958–1961), now [[Syria|Syrian Arab Republic]] and [[Egypt|Egyptian Arab Republic]] |
* {{Flag icon|United Arab Republic}} [[United Arab Republic]] (''Al-Jumhūrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Muttaḥidah'') (1958–1961), now [[Syria|Syrian Arab Republic]] and [[Egypt|Egyptian Arab Republic]] |
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* {{Flag icon|Zanzibar}} [[Zanzibar|People's Republic of Zanzibar]] (''Jamhuri ya Watu wa Zanzibar'') (1964), now part of [[Tanzania]]. |
* {{Flag icon|Zanzibar}} [[Zanzibar|People's Republic of Zanzibar]] (''Jamhuri ya Watu wa Zanzibar'') (1964), now part of [[Tanzania]]. |
Revision as of 00:45, 14 April 2011
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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.
Marxist-Leninist
These countries known as "Communist states" in the West, 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.
Western countries view Socialism and Communism as two distinct form of governmental economy. Concerning Socialism, it regards the welfare of its people like Capitalism does. In the sense that the wealth is redistributed the same way, while taxes would be higher. As for Communism, Western countries regards Communism as the opposite of Capitalism; in which the money itself is redistributed equally among everyone so that they may have a similar lifestyle. Whether their lifestyle is similar remains irrelevant in that sense.
Furthermore, the West views Communism as being a state run by the government for the greater good of all the people. As for those who see the difference between Communism and Socialism in the West, they view Socialism as being a state run by the government for the people.
Current
- People's Republic of China - (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) (since October 1, 1949)[1]
- Cuba - Republic of Cuba (República de Cuba) (since January 1, 1959) [2]
- Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic. (Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao) (since December 2, 1975)[citation needed]
- Vietnam - Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) (officially in unified Vietnam since July 2, 1976, but in the north since 1954) [3]
Former
- Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (April 27, 1978 - April 28, 1992)
- Socialist People's Republic of Albania (Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqipërisë/Republika Popullore e Shqipërisë) (January 1, 1946 - March 22, 1992)
- People's Republic of Angola (República Popular de Angola) (November 11, 1975 - August 27, 1992)
- People's Republic of Benin (République Populaire du Bénin) (November 30, 1975 - March 1, 1990)
- People's Republic of Bulgaria (Narodna Republika Balgariya) (September 15, 1946 - December 7, 1990)
- Chinese Soviet Republic (Zhōnghuá Sūwéi'āi Gònghéguó) (November 7, 1931 - October 10, 1934)
- People's Republic of the Congo (République Populaire du Congo) (January 3, 1970 - March 15, 1992)
- Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (Československá socialistická republika) (July 11, 1960 - March 29, 1990)
- People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (September 10, 1987 - May 27, 1991)
- Finnish Democratic Republic (Suomen Kansanvaltainen Tasavalta) (December 1, 1939 - March 12, 1940)
- German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) (October 7, 1949 - October 3, 1990)
- Political Committee of National Liberation (Greece) (December 24, 1947 - August 28, 1949)
- People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada (March 13, 1979 - October 25, 1983)
- People's Republic of Hungary (Magyar Népköztársaság) (August 20, 1949 - October 23, 1989)
- Democratic Kampuchea (April 4, 1976 - January 7, 1979)
- People's Republic of Kampuchea (January 7, 1979 - October 23, 1991)
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea (September 9, 1948 - September 28, 2009)
- Mongolian People's Republic (November 24, 1924 - February 12, 1992)
- People's Republic of Mozambique (República Popular de Moçambique) (June 25, 1975 - December 1, 1990)
- People's Republic of Poland (Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa) (June 28, 1945 - July 19, 1989)
- People's Republic of Romania (Republica Populară Romînă) (December 30, 1947 - December 21, 1989)
- Somali Democratic Republic (Jamhuuriyadda Dimoqraadiga Soomaaliya) (July 1, 1976 - January 26, 1991)
- Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik) (December 30, 1922 - December 26, 1991)
- Tuvan People's Republic (Tuva Arat Respublik) (August 14, 1921 - October 11, 1944)
- Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa) (September 2, 1945 - July 2, 1976)
- People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (Jumhūrīyah al-Yaman ad-Dīmuqrāṭīyah ash-Sha'bīyah)(November 30, 1967 - May 22, 1990)
- Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Socijalistička Federativna Republika Jugoslavija, Социјалистичка Федеративна Република Југославија, Socialistična federativna republika Jugoslavija) (November 29, 1943 - October 8, 1991 / April 27, 1992)
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. The Republic of China, ruled by the Kuomintang party adopted Chinese socialism. Tanzania, on the other hand, adopted African socialism as its official doctrine.
Constitutional references
- Bangladesh - People's Republic of Bangladesh (since 16 December 1971) (Gônoprojatontri Bangladesh) (see Constitution of Bangladesh)
- Republic of China - Republic of China (since 1928) (see Constitution of the Republic of China)
- Egypt - Arab Republic of Egypt (Jumhūriyyah Miṣr al-ʿArabiyyah) (since 11 September 1971) (see Constitution of Egypt)
- Guyana - Cooperative Republic of Guyana (see Constitution of Guyana)
- India - Republic of India (see Constitution of India)
- Libya - Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Al-Jamāhīriyyah al-ʿArabiyyah al-Lībiyyah aš-Šaʿbiyyah al-Ištirākiyyah al-ʿUẓmā) (since 1 September 1969)
- North Korea - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk) (since September 9, 1948) [4] (see: Constitution of North Korea). In 1992, all references to Marxism-Leninism were removed from the constitution and Juche became the official philosophy.
- Portugal - Portuguese Republic (since 1974) (see Constitution of Portugal)
- Sri Lanka Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (since 7 September 1978) (see Constitution of Sri Lanka)
- Syria - Syrian Arab Republic (Al-Jumhūriyyah al-ʿArabiyyah as-Sūriyyah) (since 1973) (see Constitution of Syria)
- Tanzania - United Republic of Tanzania (since 26 April 1964)
Informal
- Bolivia - Plurinational State of Bolivia (Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia) (see Movement for Socialism (Bolivia))
- Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua (República de Nicaragua) (see Sandinista)
- Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela) (see Bolivarianism)
- Nepal
Former
- People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (Al-Jumhūrīyah al-Jazā’irīyah ad-Dīmuqrāṭīyah ash-Sha’bīyah) (15 September 1963 - 23 February 1989)
- Burkina Faso (4. august 1984 - 15. oktober 1987)
- Republic of Cape Verde (República de Cabo Verde) (8. juli 1975 - 22.mars 1991)
- Socialist Republic of Chile (República Socialista de Chile) (4 June - 13 September 1932)
- Republic of Ghana
- People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea (République populaire révolutionnaire de la Guinée) (1958–1984)
- Bissau-Guinea [citation needed]
- Republic of Iraq (Al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʿĪrāqiyah) (14 July 1958 - 16 July 1979)
- State of Israel (Medinat Yisrael)[citation needed]
- Democratic Republic of Madagascar (Repoblika Demokratika Malagasy) (21 December 1975 - 19 August 1992)
- Republic of Mali (République du Mali) (6 December 1968 - 12 January 1992)
- Mexico (from 1917 - 1983)[5]
- Republic of Nicaragua (República de Nicaragua)
- Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe)[citation needed]
- Republic of Senegal (République du Sénégal)[citation needed]
- Republic of Seychelles (Repiblik Sesel) (5. juni 1977 - 26. juli 1992)
- Democratic Republic of Sudan (Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān ad-Dīmuqrāṭīyah) (1969–1985)
- Republic of Suriname (Republic Suriname)[citation needed]
- Tunisian Republic (Al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah) (1957-1988)
- Republic of Uganda [citation needed]
Former states
- United Arab Republic (Al-Jumhūrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Muttaḥidah) (1958–1961), now Syrian Arab Republic and Egyptian Arab Republic
- People's Republic of Zanzibar (Jamhuri ya Watu wa Zanzibar) (1964), now part of Tanzania.
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.
- Alsace Soviet Republic (November 9–22, 1918)
- Asturian miners' strike of 1934 (de facto) (October 5–18, 1934)
- Azerbaijan People's Government (November 1945 - December 1946)
- Bavarian Soviet Republic (Bayerische Räterepublik) (April 6 - May 3, 1919)
- Bessarabian Soviet Socialist Republic (May - September 1919)
- Bukharan People's Soviet Republic (October 8, 1920 - February 17, 1925)
- File:Flag of the Chinese Soviet Republic.svg Chinese Soviet Republic (Zhōnghuá Sūwéi'āi Gònghéguó) (November 7, 1931 - October 1934)
- Donetsk-Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic (February 12 - May 1918)
- Estonian Workers' Commune (Eesti Töörahva Kommuun/Эстляндская Трудовая Коммуна) (November 29, 1918 - June 5, 1919)
- Far Eastern Republic (Dalnevostochnaya Respublika) (April 6, 1920 - November 15, 1922)
- Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic (January 28 - April 29, 1918)
- Galician Soviet Socialist Republic (July 8 - September 21, 1920)
- German Socialist Republic (Räterepublik) (November 9, 1918 - ?)
- Hunan Soviet (1927)
- Hungarian Soviet Republic (Magyar Tanácsköztársaság) (March 21 - August 6, 1919)
- Khorazmian People's Soviet Republic (April 26, 1920 - October 20, 1923)
- Limerick Soviet (April 15–27, 1919)
- Lithuanian-Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (Lietuvos-Baltarusijos Tarybinė Socialistinė Respublika) (February 27 - August 25, 1919)
- File:Alai-kurdistan-1-.gif Republic of Mahabad (Komarî Mehabad) (January 22 - December 15, 1946)
- Mughan Soviet Republic (March - June 1919)
- Soviet Republic of Naissaar (December 1917 - February 26, 1918)
- Paris Commune (La Commune de Paris) (March 18 - May 28, 1871) (first socialist republic in history)
- Persian Socialist Soviet Republic (June 9, 1920 - September 1921)
- Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (Chính phủ Cách mạng lâm thời Cộng hoà miền Nam Việt Nam) (April 30, 1975 - June 2, 1976)
- Slovak Soviet Republic (Slovenská Republika Rád) (June 16 - July 7, 1919)
- File:Turkestan ASSR 1919.png Turkestan Socialist Federative Republic (April 30, 1918 - October 27, 1924)
- Democratic Republic of Yemen (May 21 - July 7, 1994)
See also
Notes
- ^ 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."
- ^ 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."
- ^ 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."
- ^ Herskovitz, Jon (September 28, 2009). "North Korea drops communism, boosts "Dear Leader"". Reuters.
- ^ The socialist ideology started in 1917 with the new Constitution as a result of the Mexican revolution and not just with the foundation of the National Revolutionary Party in 1929. From 1934 to 1945 the education in Mexico was socialist and the social programs continued until 1983 with the enter of neoliberalism according to Eduardo Ferrer Mac-Gregor. The left wing of the Institutional Revolutionary Party went on to form its own party the Party of the Democratic Revolution in 1989 with the union of the Mexican Communist Party, the Unified Socialist Party of Mexico, the Socialist Mexican Party and the Mexican Workers' Party as a result of the stablishment of neoliberalisma and the reduction of social programs.