Discussion Question

These theories underlie two contrasting, yet common, forms of government: Communism and Capitalism. Communism centralizes the control of property in the governing body. For example, Cuba is a communist state that is familiar to most Americans. In Cuba, the government retains membership in land and industry. How do you think these forms of government affect individual and business productivity? The United States, in contrast, is a capitalist system that seeks to promote or incentivize private wealth among individuals. How do you think this form of government affects individual and business productivity? Take some time to think about these two forms of government and how their concept of property ownership differs. 

• Communism is a form of government in which the government reserves the sole right to retain the ownership of land and other sectors such as industry. In terms of productivity, this form of government is often criticized due to its inability to create and support a sustainable economic system, which offers people the incentive to work and perform efficiently and also act ethically whenever they are in the line of duty. Failing to allow for ownership of private property is seen as a major reason for lack of individual motivation and corruption. On the other hand, in non-communist or capitalist societies such as the U.S.A., some would argue that the ability to own private property provides the necessary motivation to work. The choice for communist societies is that social welfare is more important of an objective than productivity.