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Criticism of communism can be divided into two broad categories: those concerning themselves with the practical aspects of 20th century Communist states, and those concerning themselves with communist principles and theory. These two categories usually overlap because criticisms of the theory are usually supported by several 20th century examples. And most people who criticize communism are against both communist principles and policies.

Anti-communists typically argue that communist theory is directly responsible for the problems of 20th century "communism". communists typically argue that the theory is deeper than the practice. Therefore anti-communists tend to produce criticisms that connect theory and practice, while communists respond by dividing these criticisms into separate arguments about theory and practice.

However, one may agree with communist principles but disagree with many policies adopted by Communist states (this is quite common among Trotskyists), or, more rarely, agree with policies adopted by Communist states but disagree with communist principles.

The categories of criticisms mentioned above are discussed in separate articles:

• Criticisms of communist party rule is an article dealing with criticisms of the practical policies implemented by 20th century governments claiming to follow the ideology of Marxism-Leninism (these are usually called "Communist states" in the West).
• Criticisms of Marxism is an article dealing with criticisms of Marxist theory itself.

Regarding East Germany (GDR), German historian Jürgen Kocka in 2010 summarized the consensus of scholars:

"Conceptualizing the GDR as a dictatorship has become widely accepted, while the meaning of the concept dictatorship varies. Massive evidence has been collected that proves the repressive, undemocratic, illiberal, nonpluralistic character of the GDR regime and its ruling party."

Further reading

• Bosteels, Bruno. The actuality of communism (Verso Books, 2014)
• Blackmer, Donald LM, and Sidney Tarrow, eds. Communism in Italy and France (Princeton University Press, 2015)
• Priestland, David. The Red Flag: A History of Communism (Grove Press, 2009)
• Resnick, Stephen A., and Richard D. Wolff. Class theory and history: Capitalism and communism in the USSR (Routledge, 2013)
• Taras, Raymond C. The Road to Disillusion: From Critical Marxism to Post-communism in Eastern Europe (Routledge, 2015)

See also

• History of the Soviet Union
  • History of the Soviet Union (1964–1982)
  • History of the Soviet Union (1982–1991)
• Anti-communism
• Black Book of Communism
• Criticisms of Marxism
• Criticism of socialism
• Economic calculation problem
• Great Chinese Famine
• Great Leap Forward
• Mass killings under Communist regimes
• Post-Communism
• Revolutions of 1989
• Russian famine of 1921
• Soviet famine of 1932–1933
• Special Period
• Criticisms of communist party rule

Notes

1. Bruno Bosteels, The actuality of communism (Verso Books, 2014)
2. Raymond C. Taras, The Road to Disillusion: From Critical Marxism to Post-communism in Eastern Europe (Routledge, 2015).
3. Jürgen Kocka, ed. (2010). Civil Society & Dictatorship in Modern German History. UPNE. p. 37. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)

• Communism
• Marxism
• Criticisms of political philosophy