Communism+v.+Capitalism+worksheet

Capitalism v. Communism Instructions: To the left of each description, write **CAP** if it applies to Capitalism, and a **COM** if it applies to Communism


 * || Appeals to humans’ instinct for self preservation, promoting individualism ||
 * || Is based on private ownership of land and the means of production ||
 * || Promotes class distinction, often eventually leading towards greater social inequality ||
 * || Decisions about how much to produce are made by the community ||
 * || Can lead to domination by one political party, essential becoming a party dictatorship pretending to act in the name of the people ||
 * || Wages are relatively equal for all ||
 * || Advocated collective or governmental administration of the distribution of resources ||
 * || Can lead to too much power and wealth concentrated in few hands or corporations (autocracy or oligarchy) ||
 * || Appeals to humans’ generous or empathetic side, promoting social welfare ||
 * || Puts individual freedom above the common good ||
 * || Decisions about how much to produce are made by private individuals (specifically business owners) ||
 * || Is against private ownership of the means of production ||
 * || Can suppress private enterprise and stifle personal creativity and original thinking, thus holding back technological innovation ||
 * || Advocates breaking down social distinctions of race, class, nationality, and religion ||
 * || Wages are determined by one’s qualifications (their “demand”) ||
 * || Puts the common good above individual freedom ||
 * || The distribution of resources is determined by private individuals and the laws of supply and demand ||

Comprehension questions:

Communism v. Socialism
 * 1) How does Capitalism promote economic growth?
 * 2) Hard work is rewarded in Capitalism, explain.
 * 3) What regulates the market in Capitalism, and how does it benefit consumers?
 * 4) How can an economy based on competition lead to negative consequences?
 * 5) What becomes the primary goal of the economy under Capitalism? What problems can this cause?
 * 1) Explain the basic difference (according to their definitions) between Communism and Social //in your own words.//
 * 2) Explain Marx’s first 3 historical phases of economic development. Why did he propose the next 2?
 * 3) Describe your view of the two ideologies. Is what you learned about them different from your previous notions? Why?