Sarge, is there a difference between Communism and Socialism?
At the risk of bashing, here's mine: The way I see this, ideologically, Communism and Socialism are almost the same hue in the spectrum.
The difference lies in HOW each system comes into power.
Communism, almost universally but with a few exceptions, comes to power through violent overthrow of an existing political base; the Bolsheviks, and the Viet Cong, for examples. The political opposition is physically eliminated, or driven out.
Socialism, largely, comes into power through the manipulation of the election process. This gives the veneer to all observers of the legitimacy of their cause. I cite the rise of the NSDAP in Germany. After the attempted revolt in Munich - the Beer Hall Pustch (sp) - the Party proceeded to use the election laws to successfully secure their way to power. I should also mention the political power of the Democrats in America with that method, as well...
They really, come to the same endstate: the absolute authority and supremacy of The State over the individual.