Communism Case

IP 5

Kelly Swafford

Colorado Technical University

Govt 201-1501B-02

Professor Diaz

March 23, 2015

        There are many other types of government around the world besides democracy.  One other type of government is communism. This means a single party controls the government. Laws are often very strict and the punishment for breaking these laws is commonly harsh. The people have few if any rights. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is one country that is under the rule of a communist government. They are governed by the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP). Even though it is communist, there are some similarities in the structure of the Vietnamese and American governments.

        Both countries have 3 branches of government.. In Vietnam the executive branch consists of the president and the prime minister. The president is head of state, commander in chief of the armed forces and Chairman of the Council of National Defense. He is elected by the National Assembly for a term of 5 years. The Prime Minister is head of the government and is appointed by the president also for a term of 5 years The judicial branch is responsible for providing leadership to the court system and recommending bills to the National Assembly as appropriate under law. Justices are appointed by the National Assembly for 5 year terms. The National Assembly makes up the Legislative branch. The National Assembly consists of 500 members who are elected by total majority for a term of 5 years. Unlike the United States where Congress is divided into 2 parts, the National Assembly consists of just 1 body. They are responsible for domestic, foreign and economic policies. They also exercise supreme control over all state activities.

        The Vietnamese government imposes strict laws over the people of its country in most aspects of their lives. Even when it appears they are granted freedoms similar to those we are granted in America, that freedom is limited by the government. A good example of this is freedom of religion or belief.

        In the United States we are granted freedom of religion in the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights. We are free to choose what religion we want to practice or not practice any at all. Churches, temples synagogues and other religious buildings may be built.         Religious ceremonies may be conducted and holidays observed and are allowed to happen without approval or disruption from anyone. The term “separation of church and state” is often used to describe the freedom of religion without interference from the government.

        Since the 1990’s the Vietnamese government has begun to relax its control on religion. In 2013 Vietnam adopted a new Constitution. Article 24 of this new Constitution addresses freedom of religion and belief. The first part of article 24 states everyone has the right to choose what religion they want to practice and that all religions are viewed as equal under the law. Part 2 states that all religions are respected and protected by the state. Part 3 says that no one has the right to infringe upon religion or belief to violate the law (Press 2014).