Are All Marxists Necessarily Communists? | Marxism vs Communism Explained
Are All Marxists Necessarily Communists? By CV Manuvilsan --- Context and Purpose This essay responds to a thought-provoking question posed by Adv P. Chandrasekhar in the Open Forum: “Can one be a Marxist without being a Communist? Are all Communists necessarily Marxists?” His astute reflection—that "many Marxist intellectuals support left politics without being Communists"—prompted me to explore the relationship between these two ideologies. Thus, this article seeks to clarify whether one can identify as a Marxist without embracing communism in its complete ideological form. --- Understanding the Core: Marxism vs. Communism What Is Communism? Communism envisions a stateless, classless society, where: Class divisions are eliminated. Exploitative systems and institutions end. Social inequality—based on gender, race, or class—is eradicated. Society’s wealth and resources are held in common, shared custody. It represents not just an ideology but a comprehensive socia...