Communism The communist government is a political and socioeconomic entity that is founded on the principles of common ownership of production, and the non-existence of social classes. The ideologies behind the communist government are also based on the theories of Karl Marx, Frederick Engels and Vladimir Lenin. These theories have in common the debunking of the relationship between the capitalists and the laborers in a society, and thus the state should own all the means of production such that there ought to be an equitable distribution of the fruits of production among all the members of society. Thus the communist state is ruled by a single party adhering to these principles and professing to protect the interests of the workers or the proletariat (Rosser and Barkley, 14).
Marxism The Marxist government is founded on principles similar to those of the Communist State. The ruling class who control the state is thought to represent only the interests of their class, and do not care about the interests of the other members of society. Thus the Marxist state could be said to be a “stateless” one in the sense that any other form of government has so far been a tool for antagonizing the other members of society. If one eliminates the ruling class, then so goes the state. Marx himself stated that there will be freedom and the end of oppression will take place only when the state has been eradicated. Thus Marxism is also part of the foundations of Communism based on its major theoretical underpinning (Marx, Engels and Lenin, 254-256).
Socialism A socialist government is characterized essentially by a government that strives to increase the efficiency of production. Also, if the production capacity of the workers of society is enhanced, then that society enjoys greater freedom and equality. For instance, if production was more efficient, workers could also pursue other interests that would help them in their quest for self-actualization (Marxists: Grundrisse: Notebook VII-The Chapter on Capital). A socialist government therefore is one that is more focused on the economic systems in the state, with a fervent desire to enhance production and make it more efficient.
Monarchy A monarchy is a form of government wherein there is an absolute ruler who rules until he dies. There are different ways in which a monarch is selected, and in the duration of his tenure. If there are no limits to the tenure and to the powers of the monarch when it comes to legal, political and economic administration, then he is termed as an absolute monarch. Today there are mostly constitutional monarchies, with the monarch retaining a largely ceremonial role, but having little or no political power under the state’s constitution. There are still monarchies wherein the ruler or monarch wields substantial political influence, such as in the monarchies of Brunei, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar (Infoplease: Monarchy).
Republic A republic is a form of government wherein the power to govern is given to officials who are elected, with these officials representing the constituency. All leaders in government exercise their powers according to the rule of law. One example of a republic today is the United States of America. It is the citizenry who indirectly rule and control the government by putting into positions of leadership individuals who are elected (Boom, 439-440).
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is a government wherein there is an absolute ruler, and this ruler or dictator has put into place mechanisms that will ensure his stay in position for the long terms. It is said that the dictatorship is a special type of authoritarian government. The dictator uses all kinds of propaganda to make sure that he stays in power (Power, 1-2). An example of a dictatorship is that of the reign of Adolf Hitler in Germany, that of Mao Zedong in China, and that of Fidel Castro’s rule in Cuba.
Totalitarianism
A totalitarian government is one wherein the state does not recognize any limits to its authority and may interfere not only with public affairs, but also with the private lives of the constituents. As with the dictatorship, the leader of a totalitarian government will attempt to remain in power through the use of propaganda that is usually spread via a state-owned mass media outlet. The main difference with a dictatorship and a totalitarian government is that the latter will try even to invade the private affairs of the citizens of the state (Pipes, 240-242).
Tyranny
A tyranny is similar to a dictatorship and a totalitarian government in the sense that all power is held by one person or one group. This person or group often lacks legitimacy when it comes to his or their right to rule. Also, the rule in this case is quite oppressive, hence the term “tyrranical” rule. The tyrant controls all public information, uses his influence on the courts, usurps all undelegated powers, and oftentimes militarizes the government, stages events such that he gains the support of the constituents, removes all checks and balances in the government, and makes the people very dependent on the government (Constitution Society: Principles of Tyranny).
Anarchy
In the case of anarchy, there is a person or a group of persons that reject the structure and hierarchy therein. The anarchist looks at the state as being undesirable, or harmful to many. Instead of the usual structures for governance, the state of anarchy is administered to by voluntary free associations (Oxford Dictionary Online: Anarchy). This form of government was said to have existed in the Ukraine just before the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. Nestor Makhno, a peasant leader, was said to reject all forms of leadership and dictatorship. He did not believe in the existence of the state, and immediately caused the creation of workers’ councils that governed themselves (Kantowicz, 173).
Works Cited
Boom, Allan. The Republic. 1991. NY: Basic Books. Print.
Constitution Society. Principles of Tyranny. 2016. Web. 02 April 2016.
Kantowicz, Edward. The Rage of Nations. 1999. NY: Eerdmans Publishing. Print.
Infoplease. Monarchy. 2012. Web. 02 April 2016.
Kantowicz, Edward. The Rage of Nations.
Marx, Karl, Engels, Frederick and Lenin, Vladimir. On the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. 1984. Moscow, Russia: Progressive Publishers. Print.
Marx, Karl. Grundrisse: Notebook VII – The Chapter on Capital. 2016. Web. 02 April 2016.
Oxford Dictionary Online. Anarchy. 2016. Web. 02 April 2016.
Pipes, Richard. Under the Bolshevik Regime. 1995. NY: Vintage Books. Print.
Power, Margaret. Dictatorship and Single Party States. In The Encyclopedia of Women in World History, B. Smith, editor. 2008. NY: Oxford University Press. Print.
Rosser, Mariana and Barkley, J. Comparative Economics in a Transforming World Economy. 2003. Boston, MA: MIT Press. Print.
