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The idea that the regime in East Germany was an example of Socialism is simply preposterous.

East Germany had zero private property, and was governed by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany from 1946 until 1989 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Unity_Party_of_German...).

the sidebar of the article you link to says:

Ideology: Communism, Marxism-leninism, Neo-Stalinism

having the word in the name doesn't actually make it socialist.

Heck, even Wikipedia lists them as associated terms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism_(Marxism)

Communism is extreme socialism. Ask a socialist, they're essentially one in the same. This point does not change what the article is saying. It's the same policies, same effects.

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