socialist
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socialist
Relating to socialism, a political and economic theory that aims for a social order in which the means of production, such as factories or land, are collectively owned.
Die Partei vertritt sozialistische Ideen zur Verteilung des Wohlstands.
The party represents socialist ideas about the distribution of wealth.
socialist
Relating to states or systems that were or are governed by a communist or socialist party, such as the former GDR.
In den ehemaligen sozialistischen Ländern gab es eine staatlich gelenkte Planwirtschaft.
In the former socialist countries, there was a state-controlled planned economy.
The adjective 'sozialistisch' (socialist) is derived from the noun 'der Sozialismus' (socialism). The ending '-istisch' is often used for adjectives that relate to a worldview or ideology.
Er las ein Buch über die Geschichte der sozialistischen Bewegung in Europa.
He read a book about the history of the socialist movement in Europe.
You can recognize this meaning from the context. When historical states (such as the GDR or the Soviet Union), their economic system ('Planwirtschaft' = planned economy), or their past are being discussed, this usually refers to this specific state form of socialism.
Meine Großeltern sind in einem sozialistischen Land aufgewachsen.
My grandparents grew up in a socialist country.
In its ideological meaning, the word is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical examples are 'sozialistische Theorien' (socialist theories), 'sozialistische Werte' (socialist values), or 'eine sozialistische Weltanschauung' (a socialist worldview).
Die Diskussion drehte sich um sozialistische Grundgedanken.
The discussion revolved around basic socialist ideas.
communist
Both words refer to political and economic ideas aimed at greater social equality. Sozialistisch is the broader term for a social order involving collective ownership of the means of production. Kommunistisch specifically refers to communism and its vision of a classless society.
Das Programm ist sozialistisch und fordert den gemeinschaftlichen Besitz großer Fabriken.
The program is socialist and calls for collective ownership of large factories.
Die kommunistische Theorie strebt eine Gesellschaft ohne Klassen an.
Communist theory seeks a classless society.
