I have heard several different things, but how I currently understand it is that Communism is a post-socialism state in which goods are produced with such efficiency and surplus that money becomes worthless and class, labor, and the state are phased out. Is this wrong? Is there any difference at all? I am pretty new to leftism. TIA
Socialism - Purely economical, refers to labour owning the means of production (industry), rather than private interests (shareholders). Ownership can mean anything from simple co-ops, to unions, to a democratic state.
Communism - Society in which state, currency, and economic class do not exist. Socially useful labour is performed for its own sake, and material goods and services are used as needed. Considered a step beyond socialism insofar as industry no longer has recognized owners, beyond society as a whole.