Literally, a Socialist state is a state wherein citizens of such state equally owns the factors of production and distribution of income in the state.
As the name implies, a Socialist state constitutionally practices the system of socialism in line with the Marxism-Leninism theory model of socialism.
It is instructive to note that there are a good number of States who have aligned themselves with the tenets of Socialism and Communism which is a more intense form of Socialism which seeks to eliminate private ownership of factors of production, and thus can be referred to as Socialist states.
Socialist states in the world today includes:
1. China:
The People’s Republic of China is one of the foremost socialist states. While it has strictly practiced Socialism for many years now, in recent years; it has radically diverted to a hybrid of Socialism and a market economy. However, it can still be regarded as a Socialist state.
China practices a one party system controlled by the China Communist Party (CCP) which controls a good number of enterprises and company in the Country, as well as regulate the direction of Market and Economy of the Country.
2. Russia:
Just like China, Russia was a country strictly Socialist in nature. Previously known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, Russia has been a socialist state for many years now.
However, in recent times the economy of Russia has transformed to a Market oriented economy. Nonetheless, the Oligarchs still control the Government and the economy of Russia.
3. Cuba:
The Republic of Cuba is a core Socialist State. Since 1959 till date, the Country has been adhering to the Pro Soviet Marxism and Leninism theory of Socialism and has practiced a Socialist Political System since then.
Cuba operates a one party system with the communist Party of Cuba being the sole ruling party in the State. It is fair to say that Socialism has thrived in Cuba with it’s State ran economy, free education for citizens, subsidized housing, subsidized housing, subsidized food program, and entertainment. Little wonder it is still primarily a Socialist State.
4. North Korea:
North Korea is another core Socialist State. Article 1 of it’s Constitution even declares it as an independent Socialist State. Moreso, it is predominantly a one party state with the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) the sole ruling party therein controlling the government and leadership of the country.
It also controls the economy of the Country as Korea’s economy is centrally planned, coordinated, and determined by the Government.
North Korea remains one of the few countries which strictly operates a Socialist market economy.
5. Laos:
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic otherwise known as LAOS, is a one Party Socialist and Communist State under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
LAOS remains one of the few remaining strictly Socialist states in the world, as it still practices and espouses the Marxism-Lennism. As a matter of fact, both the practice and tenets in Laos tilts towards Socialism.
For instance, Article 13 of the Country’s Constitution provides that “All types of enterprises are equal before the law and operate according to the principle of the Market Economy and cooperating with each other to expand Production and business, while regulated by the state in the direction of Socialism.”
6. Vietnam:
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam as the name implies is a Socialist Country which operates a Socialist oriented Market economy wherein the Government plays a major role in directing it’s economy, affairs, and development.
The Government in Vietnam and the ruling party, the Communist Party of Vietnam has over the years reaffirmed it’s stance on Socialism, and has resolved to still hold it’s socialist orientation and development of a Socialist economy in Vietnam. Thus, making it a core Socialist State.
7. Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is a Socialist State, as Socialism is one of it’s four fundamental principles of state policy. Bangladesh is constitutionally tailored at establishing an exploitation free state.
The Preamble to it’s constitution (The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Act No. Of 1972) provides as follows: Pledging that the high ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the national liberation struggle, shall be the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
Moreso, Section 8 of it’s Constitution provides: The principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, together with the principles derived from those as set out in this Part, shall constitute the fundamental principles of state policy.
And Section 10 also provides that: . A socialist economic system shall be established with a view to ensuring the attainment of a just and egalitarian society, free from the exploitation of man by man.
Flowing from these, we can all agree that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a constitutionally Socialist State.
8. Sri Lanka:
Socialism is an ideal Economic and Political theory which is shared and adopted by the various political parties in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It is argued that Sri Lanka is a democratic Socialist State.
What are the most socialist countries in the world, and why
What are the most socialist countries in the world, and why
In that it is a mixture of Democracy and Socialism as both the public and private sectors contribute to the economy of Sri Lanka. As a matter of fact, the production of goods are not primarily owned by the Government. However, the Government owns and controls the Public healthcare and education system.
9. Tanzania:
Tanzania, the East African Coastal Nation has been a Socialist State since attaining independence in 1961, thanks to the efforts of it’s then President Julius Nyerume in attaining a Society free from exploitation and with a sense of mutual help and solidarity.
However, these tenets of Socialism didn’t materialize in Tanzania till date. The Country now practices a mixed economy wherein a good number of it’s factors of production have been privatized while the Government still exercise some control of the economy.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Socialism is a Political and economic system of Government with a declining significance, due to the profit oriented nature of most economy and individuals. This accounts for why most countries across the globe now tilt towards the practice of Capitalism and a Market economy.
Previously, numerable countries including but not limited to: Portugal, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, India, Germany, Angola, Mozambique, Iraq, Ghana, Libya, Poland, amongst others preferred Socialism over Capitalism and were practicing Socialism. Hence, were core socialist states, but currently only these countries so mentioned in this Article are the socialist states in the world today.
