Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 Marx’s distinction between socialism and communism Taner Çam  Mustafa Kayaoğlu  Abstract Marx’s distinction between socialism and communism is the subject of this study. Even though socialism and communism terms existed before Marx, they are generally remembered with Marx. From his perspective, socialism and communism was comprehensively handled and compared in the paper. Since it is essential to talk about it while discussing the distinction between socialism and communism, the dictatorship of the proletariat that is a political transition period is also explained in this study. Communism has two phases. The first or lower phase of communism is called as socialism that is the phase between capitalism and communism. The second or higher phase of communism is the perfect stage. There is no inequality or injustice in this stage. Communist society is classless society where products are delivered according to individuals needs. Implications were discussed in the work. Without three of the all sources, only Marx’s own works were used during the examination of socialism and communism. Keywords: Marx; socialism; communism, dictatorship of the proletariat. Introduction As it is known, these two terms; socialism and communism are the concepts existed before Marx. That is, Marx was not the creator of these concepts. In our contemporary society, Marx could be called as the most-respected authority and reference point to understand these concepts; however, the words; socialism and communism still have various meanings and applications. Therefore, in this work, Marx’s distinction between socialism and communism will be explained. According to Marx, communism comes after capitalism. To him the overthrow of all or any segment of capitalism is very important; however, it is not this termination that Marx is really concerned, for him, it is the beginning of the process towards communism. This overthrow will be the mark of gradual transition from capitalism to communism. When we read Marx and also other  Ph.D., Sociologist, taner.cam@gmail.com  Ph.D., Sociologist, kayaoglu97@yahoo.com