Socialist state

A socialist state is a country in which the state (rather than the bourgeoisie) controls the means of production, led by a working class-based, progressive party. According to the idea of socialism, the state should promote equality and good standards of living by providing free health care, food, and other social services to all the people. While many states have historically claimed to be socialist, only a few have truly implemented socialist policies. Below is a list of all states that claim or claimed to be socialist.

Marxist-Leninist states

 * People's Republic of China (since 1949)
 * Cuba (since 1959)
 * Vietnam (since 1945)
 * Laos (since 1975)

Non-Marxist-Leninist states

 * Algeria (since 1963)
 * Bangladesh (since 1973)
 * Guyana (since 1980)
 * India (since 1941)
 * Mozambique (since 1991)
 * North Korea (since 1948)
 * Portugal (since 1974)
 * Sri Lanka (since 1978)
 * Syria (since 1963)

Formerly been desribed as socialist states in their constitutions
These are some of the nations who have formerly described themselves as socialist states in their constitutions:


 * Albania (1945-1992)
 * East Germany (1949-1990)
 * Mongolia (1924-1991)
 * Mozambique (1974-1991)
 * Nicaragua (1979-1990)
 * Russian SFSR (1917-1922)
 * Soviet Union (1922-1991)
 * Yugoslavia (1942-1992)