Communist state

Quick Facts: Who was Communist state?

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Communist state

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A socio-economic government combining a communist party's leadership with Marxist–Leninist philosophy.

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Origins & Early Life

A communist state, also known as a Marxist–Leninist state, is a socio-economic form of government that combines the state leadership of a communist party, Marxist–Leninist political philosophy, and an official commitment to the construction of a communist society. Modern communism grew out of the socialist movement in 19th-century Europe as a program to replace capitalism with a stateless, classless, and moneyless society, but its application as Marxism–Leninism began later in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam are the only communist states that exist as of 2026. With the exception of North Korea, these have moved away from collectivism in the economic sphere in favor of forms of market economy, but retain an authoritarian or totalitarian single-party system generating a mandatory state ideology. In the 20th century, several communist states were established, first in Russia with the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then in portions of Eastern Europe, Asia, and other regions after World War II.

Career & Major Achievements

The institutions of these states were heavily influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin and others. However, the political reforms of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev known as Perestroika and socio-economic difficulties produced the revolutions of 1989, which brought down all communist states of the Eastern Bloc. The repercussions of the collapse of these states contributed to political transformations in non-European communist states. In accordance with Marx's theory of the state, communists believe all state formations are under the control of a ruling class. Communist states are no different, and the ruling communist party is defined as the vanguard party of the most class conscious section of the working classes, particularly the proletariat but sometimes including the peasantry, such as under its Maoist formulation.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Communist states usually affirm that the working class is the state's ruling class and that the most class-conscious workers lead the state through the communist party, establishing the dictatorship of the proletariat as its class system and, by extension, the socialist state, which will eventually wither away into a communist society free of oppressions. However, not all communist states chose to form this class system, and some, such as Laos, have opted to establish a people's democratic state instead, in which the working class shares political power with other classes. According to this belief system, communist states need to establish an economic base to support the ruling class system by creating a socialist economy, or at the very least, some socialist property relations strong enough to support the communist class system. By ensuring these two features, the communist party seeks to make Marxism–Leninism the guiding ideology of the state. Normally, the communist state constitution defines the class system, political, economic system and guiding ideology of the state.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1917: 1917 Milestone — In the 20th century, several communist states were established, first in Russia with the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then in portions of Eastern Europe, Asia, and other regions after World War II.
2. 1989: 1989 Milestone — However, the political reforms of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev known as Perestroika and socio-economic difficulties produced the revolutions of 1989, which brought down all communist states of the Eastern Bloc.
3. 2026: 2026 Milestone — China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam are the only communist states that exist as of 2026.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Communist state

True or False: “Did any state conventionally describe itself as a 'communist state'?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): No state has ever officially referred to itself using the term 'communist state'; they used alternatives like 'socialist' or 'people's democratic'.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abdullah Ibrahim — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Pianist and composer, considered the leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Born in 1917) (1917): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Historical peer (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Abbie Hoffman — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.

Frequently Asked Questions about Communist state