Socialism means the state has social support networks, but largely works under capitalist rules
Not quite! What you’re describing is “social democracy” — capitalism with safety nets, where production is still controlled by owners rather than workers. “Socialism” means worker control of production. If we want to be accurate with our terms, “Nordic socialism” should really be called “Nordic social democracy.”
“Communism” is more of a dream for the future. It refers to a classless, stateless society where everyone has what they need and no one is exploited. “To each according to their need, from each according to their ability.” No nation has seriously attempted this, because if you overthrow your rich capitalist overlords and then immediately dissolve your state, the next day you’ll be bombed and invaded and the rich capitalists will be right back in power. That, and also all successful socialist revolutions have occurred in very poor countries, and their first priority after the revolution is usually to rapidly develop and industrialize, which tends to require a strong central power.
In practice, when a state labels itself “communist” it means they are committed to achieving a communist future, and in the meantime to fending off capitalists while developing their economies, institutions, and cultural norms. The authoritarianism of post-revolutionary communist states is meant to serve those purposes.
Not quite! What you’re describing is “social democracy” — capitalism with safety nets, where production is still controlled by owners rather than workers. “Socialism” means worker control of production. If we want to be accurate with our terms, “Nordic socialism” should really be called “Nordic social democracy.”
“Communism” is more of a dream for the future. It refers to a classless, stateless society where everyone has what they need and no one is exploited. “To each according to their need, from each according to their ability.” No nation has seriously attempted this, because if you overthrow your rich capitalist overlords and then immediately dissolve your state, the next day you’ll be bombed and invaded and the rich capitalists will be right back in power. That, and also all successful socialist revolutions have occurred in very poor countries, and their first priority after the revolution is usually to rapidly develop and industrialize, which tends to require a strong central power.
In practice, when a state labels itself “communist” it means they are committed to achieving a communist future, and in the meantime to fending off capitalists while developing their economies, institutions, and cultural norms. The authoritarianism of post-revolutionary communist states is meant to serve those purposes.