What is the essential difference between socialism and capitalism?

First of all, the economic base is different.

1, Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the basic economic system with public ownership of the means of production as the main body and multiple ownership economies developing together; Adhere to and improve the distribution system with distribution according to work as the main body and multiple modes of distribution coexisting, adhere to the participation of various production factors in distribution according to their contributions, and pay more attention to social equity on the basis of economic development; Adhere to and improve the state's macro-control of the economy and so on.

This fundamentally eliminates the fundamental contradiction between private ownership of capital and socialization of production under the capitalist system, and provides favorable institutional conditions for liberating and developing productive forces, thus effectively promoting the efficient, rapid, healthy and orderly operation of the national economy, and also laying a solid material foundation for eliminating exploitation, eliminating polarization and finally achieving mutually assured prosperity.

2. Capitalism practices private ownership of the means of production. On the one hand, private ownership fundamentally opposes the trend of socialized mass production and social development, and is an economic system that seriously hinders the liberation and development of productive forces.

On the other hand, because the essence of capital is the pursuit of profit, the purpose of capitalist production can only be the pursuit of profit maximization, so it is impossible to pursue people's welfare as the purpose, and naturally it is impossible to eliminate exploitation and polarization, and it is impossible to achieve * * * and prosperity.

Second, the political system is different.

1. Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants, the people's congress system where the people are the masters of the country, the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Chinese production party, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, the strengthening of democratic political construction at the grassroots level, the organic unity of the party's leadership, the people being the masters of the country and the rule of law, and the respect and protection of human rights.

This has achieved a high degree of unity between a democratic country and a democratic regime, ensured that the overwhelming majority of the people in the country are included in the people's category and become the main body of democracy, thus greatly mobilizing the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the broad masses of the people in building socialism and making social organisms full of vitality.

2. Capitalist countries often only talk about the political system and deny the state system, and describe bourgeois democracy as super-class, super-money, super-ideology and universal, covering up or even denying the class nature of their bourgeois dictatorship.

Third, ideological and cultural differences.

1, Socialism with Chinese characteristics adheres to the orientation of advanced socialist culture, strives to build a socialist core value system including the guiding ideology of Marxism, the national spirit with Socialism with Chinese characteristics's ideal as the core, the spirit of the times with patriotism as the core, and the socialist concept of honor and disgrace with reform and innovation as the core, and advocates patriotism, collectivism and socialism.

Strengthen the education of ideals and beliefs, strengthen ideological and moral construction, and constantly improve the ideological and moral quality and scientific and cultural quality of all people. Therefore, Socialism with Chinese characteristics culture conforms to the development direction of human society, promotes the continuous progress of human society, represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of social members, and promotes the all-round and free development of human beings.

2. Capitalist ideology and culture is a culture that reflects the nature and attributes of the bourgeoisie, and is linked with capitalist relations of production and political system. Although capitalism advocates the diversification of guiding ideology, it is a capitalist culture based on private ownership.

It must take private ownership and individualism as its core content. The ideological culture dominated by this world outlook and values will inevitably lead to the prevalence of individualism, egoism, hedonism, money worship and various social problems.