To determine whether communism has “worked” by improving society and whether citizens lived a more equal and comfortable life under communism compared to capitalism, we need to look at specific cases and consider different aspects of societal well-being. The question is complex because the experiences of communist societies have varied widely, and the outcomes often depend on how “improvement” and “comfort” are defined and measured.

Cases Where Communism Brought Some Improvements

1. Cuba:

• Improvements: After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba made significant strides in healthcare and education. The country established a universal healthcare system that is widely regarded for its effectiveness, and it boasts a high literacy rate due to comprehensive education reforms. These changes represented significant improvements over the pre-revolutionary period when much of the population lacked access to basic services and education.
• Equality and Comfort: Cuba managed to reduce income inequality significantly compared to pre-revolutionary levels. However, while access to basic services improved, material comfort remained limited due to economic hardships exacerbated by a centrally planned economy, inefficient resource management, and the U.S. embargo. Citizens experienced shortages of consumer goods, and political freedoms were heavily restricted.

1. Early Soviet Union:

• Improvements: The Soviet Union under Lenin and early Stalin implemented extensive land reforms, nationalized industries, and aimed to eliminate class distinctions. The state provided employment, basic healthcare, and education, which were improvements over the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, where feudal structures dominated, and poverty was widespread among peasants and workers.
• Equality and Comfort: In the early years, there was a push towards greater social equality. However, while the state provided basic necessities, overall living standards were often low, and personal freedoms were curtailed. Economic equality was pursued, but often at the cost of political repression and economic inefficiency.

1. China’s Early Communist Era:

• Improvements: After the Chinese Communist Party took power in 1949, land reforms and nationalization of industries were implemented. Efforts were made to reduce feudal practices and inequalities that had plagued rural areas. The Chinese government made strides in improving literacy rates and public health.
• Equality and Comfort: While some social inequalities were reduced, especially in rural areas, overall comfort levels were low due to economic policies like the Great Leap Forward, which led to widespread famine and suffering. Later, under Deng Xiaoping, China moved towards a mixed economy, improving living standards but increasing economic inequality.

Common Themes in Communist Societies

1. Social Equality and Access to Basic Services:

• Many communist states aimed to provide universal access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment. In some cases, this did lead to greater social equality, especially in terms of reducing the gap between the wealthy and the poor and improving literacy and health outcomes. For example, Cuba’s achievements in healthcare and education are often cited as successful elements of its communist system.

1. Economic Comfort:

• Despite some gains in social equality, most communist states struggled to provide material comfort. The planned economies often resulted in shortages of consumer goods, poor housing, and limited economic opportunities. Citizens typically had fewer choices and less access to material goods than those in capitalist countries, particularly after the economic liberalization of the latter half of the 20th century. The focus on heavy industry over consumer goods also contributed to lower living standards.

1. Political Repression:

• Communist governments often implemented strict controls over political life, with one-party rule and limited freedom of expression. This lack of political freedom, along with repressive measures against dissent, was a common feature in most communist states and detracted from the overall comfort and quality of life for many citizens.

1. Economic Stagnation and Inefficiency:

• Many communist states experienced economic inefficiency and stagnation due to centralized planning and lack of market incentives. These issues often led to shortages, poor-quality goods, and a lack of innovation, which, in turn, affected the standard of living.

Comparison with Capitalism

1. Economic Growth and Innovation:

• Capitalist economies, particularly in the West, generally experienced higher rates of economic growth and innovation. This led to a broader range of consumer goods, better housing, and improved overall living standards for many citizens. However, these gains were often accompanied by increased income inequality and periods of economic instability.

1. Social Inequality:

• While capitalist societies often experienced greater economic inequality than communist states, they also offered more personal freedoms, economic opportunities, and consumer choices. Social safety nets in some capitalist countries, like those in Northern Europe, managed to balance economic growth with social equality more effectively than communist states.

Conclusion

Whether communism “worked” in terms of improving society and providing a more equal and comfortable life than capitalism depends on the specific context and the criteria used for evaluation. In some areas, like healthcare, education, and social equality, communist states made notable improvements compared to their pre-revolutionary conditions. However, these gains were often offset by economic inefficiency, material scarcity, political repression, and a lack of personal freedoms. Capitalism, on the other hand, typically resulted in higher economic growth and innovation but at the cost of greater social inequality. The debate between the merits of communism and capitalism is therefore not straightforward and depends largely on one’s values and priorities regarding equality, freedom, and material well-being.