What is capitalism and what core concepts make it irreconcilable with Communism?

Question

What is capitalism and what core concepts make it irreconcilable with Communism?

Answer 1

I don't think that's true, China seems to be following the capitalist's model quite well.

Answer 2

Excellent question and without an ounce of prejudice in it!  To think I spent 8 years in school showing up to class learning this, and here it is again in a format that can be answered in a few sentences.  Capitalism is good, and communism is bad and must be exterminated.  See?

Answer 3

Capitalism requires private ownership of productive assets (machines, factories, &c as opposed to consumables like food) whereas in Communism all productive assets are "commonly owned" which in practice means that deciding how they are used is a function of the government (i.e. "government-run").

Since assets can't be both privately owned and "commonly owned" at the same time a society can't be both purely capitalist or purely communist at the same time.  Most countries do however have a bunch of publicly owned assets (public universities, fire departments, military, &c) in addition to the private sector giving most countries a blend of the two extremes, even if they don't like to admit it.

In American political discourse, however, communism has the additional meaning of "economic or social policy I don't like".

Answer 4

Your question makes no sense. Capitalism is a market system and Communism is a political system.Technically, they're not "irreconcilable" since the Communist party in China runs the country, but they have a free market, capitalistic economy. Comparing Capitalism to Socialism is a better way to look at things.

Answer 5

Capitalism is freedom to create and succeed at whatever drives you.

Communism is a failed religion that forces everyone to work for the government.  no matter how hard or how little you work you get the same crappy government pay check.