[Vocabulary] Capital or small letter C for communist?

[Sugar Please]

Hi,

Do I write "communist" with a capital 'C' or a small 'c'?

I've seen both used. If whether a big or small c is used depends on context, could you please provide me with them?

I know that a capital C is definitely used if the word is used in a name, for example: Chinese Communist Party.

I'm asking for situations where it is not in a name.

Thanks in advance.

 

[emsr2d2]

The Chinese Communist Party is capitalised because it is the official name of the party and is therefore a proper noun. A person with those political persuasions is simply a communist.

 

[Sugar Please]

Thanks.

How about the communist Soviet Union?

 

[SoothingDave]

Someone who is a member of a Communist Party is a Communist, in the same way that a member of the Republican Party is a Republican.

Someone who is an adherent of the basic philosophy is a communist.

There is a "Libertarian Party" in the US. But it is fairly common (in certain circles, anyway) to hear people who state they are "little l" libertarians. Meaning that they ascribe to a version of libertarian thought, but are not members of the party named "Libertarian" (for a variety of philosophical or other reasons).

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Someone who is a member of a Communist Party is a Communist, in the same way that a member of the Republican Party is a Republican. . . .

Right. We use the expression "small-c communist" to describe a communist who is not a party member.

 

[GoesStation]

...and "small-d democrat" to describe Americans who believe in democracy but don't belong to the Democratic Party.

 

[jutfrank]

It's the same in Britain with the C-word. (C/conservative)