Capitalism vs. Socialism
Main DifferenceThe economy of the nation is directly associated with the political system. The people in power decide what type of economy system will be prevalent. Over the years, different economic systems are being observed across the globe. Capitalism, Socialism, Islamic and mix economic system are some of the prominent examples of different economics system. Here we’ll be differentiating between two of the oldest economic systems, capitalism, and socialism. According to the historians, capitalism was first under the practice in the 14th century in Europe. On the other hand, Socialism has its origin associated with France; it ages back in the 18th century when different revolutions were sparking all around. The capitalism is the economic and political system under which the trade and industry of a country are owned by the individuals, not by the state. Contrary to this, the socialism is the economic and political system in which the government owns and regulates factors of production, distribution and the other economic activities within the country.
Difference Between Capitalism and Socialism
Capitalism vs. Socialism
An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state is called capitalism. On the other hand, a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole is known as the socialism.
Capitalism vs. Socialism
In capitalism, the individual's right is the basic principal, whereas, in socialism, the equality among people is the basic principal.
Capitalism vs. Socialism
There is more sense of competition among companies in capitalism as compare to that in the socialism.
Capitalism vs. Socialism
The government inference in capitalism is much low, but in socialism, the government own the different economic means and also makes the regulation in this regard, so the interference is maximum.
Capitalism vs. Socialism
In capitalism, the maximum profits and incomes are for the investors or the individuals, whereas in socialism, the equal distribution of wealth among the people of the country.
Capitalismnoun
(politics) A socio-economic system based on private ownership of resources or capital.
Socialismnoun
Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
Capitalismnoun
(economics) An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
Socialismnoun
A system of social and economic equality in which there is no private property.
Capitalismnoun
A socio-economic system based on private property rights, including the private ownership of resources or capital, with economic decisions made largely through the operation of a market unregulated by the state.
Socialismnoun
A system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.
Capitalismnoun
An economic system based on the abstraction of resources into the form of privately owned capital, with economic decisions made largely through the operation of a market unregulated by the state.
Socialismnoun
(Marxism) The intermediate phase of social development between capitalism and full communism in Marxist theory in which the state has control of the means of production.
Capitalismnoun
an economic system based on private ownership of capital
Socialismnoun
Any of a group of later political philosophies such democratic socialism and social democracy which do not envisage the need for full state ownership of the means of production nor transition to full communism, and which are typically based on principles of community decision making, social equality and the avoidance of economic and social exclusion, with economic policy giving first preference to community goals over individual ones.
Socialismnoun
Any left-wing ideology, government regulations, or policies promoting a welfare state, nationalisation, etc.
Socialismnoun
a political theory advocating state ownership of industry
Socialismnoun
an economic system based on state ownership of capital
Comparison Chart
| Capitalism | Socialism |
| An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state is called capitalism. | A political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole is known as the socialism. |
| Basic Principal | |
| Individual's right | Equality among people. |
| Sense of Competition | |
| More | Less |
| Government Interference | |
| Very little | In socialism, the government own the different economic means and also makes the regulation in this regard, so the interference is maximum. |
| Profits | |
| The maximum profits and incomes are for the investors or the individuals. | In socialism, the equal distribution of wealth among the people of the country. |
What is Capitalism?
Capitalism is one of the most ancient political and economic systems, which first came in practice in Europe in 1400 AD. Nowadays this economic system is absent from our societies, and more of the developing countries have switched to the mixed economy system. The real reason behind the collapsing of this economic system was the exploitation of workers and lack of social welfare. As the democracy prevailed, people looked out for the more stable economic system which has equality for all of the people, regardless of gender, race or age. The capitalism was the economic system following which the individuals or private companies controlled the trade and industry of the country. In this system, the principal of individual rights were given principal importance, and the freedom of owning health was given to the people. In other words, we can say that, in this system, the people were free to make their economic activities and own as much as profit they can. The government interference was minimum, and sense of competition or setting monopoly between the companies was more likely in this system. This economic system was seen as a friendly economic system for the investors, entrepreneurs and different corporate. To gain more and more profit, was the sole purpose of the investors and leaders of this economic system, whereas the companies exploited the rights of workers.
What is Socialism?
Socialism is the economic and political system which first came into the mainstream in the 18th century in France. As we know that all of the Europe, especially France witnessed several revolutions; the people were seeking for the better economic system, which could benefit the society as a whole. The people got more know-how about the rights in this time, and rather than one’s individual rights, people were asking more for the equal rights. The sole purpose of this economic system coming under practice was the strict vigilance of the economic activities by the government itself, and the distribution of market share among people in such a way that brings socioeconomic harmony among classes of all the people. In the socialism, the government has the ownership of different economic activities, and the government themselves regulates the factors like production and distribution. The prices and production values are decided by the government and the profit to individuals is lower in this case as more of the profit is socially owned in this case. The equal distribution o profits or income I this economic system was the remarkable step to bridge the differences between rich and poor living within the society.
