Socialism vs Communism

Okay. So I remember having an argument with someone online about a year ago over whether “socialism” is an economic or political system/ideology. The guy insisted that socialism was a political system. So, did he mean that back in the day, when the USSR, was described as a Communist-socialist nation, that was being redundant? When I asked “What about "communism”? He said communism was the economic system.

I told him he got it backwards. That communism was a political ideology and that socialism was the economic ideology. I even cited a few sources online to clarify.

He then pulled out his “I have a so-and-so degree in Social Sciences! Yadda-yadda-yadda….” card. So I was like: “Oh-kaay… If you say so, Mister Genius…‘.

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I wonder if he knew that there exist countries that are classified as socialist democracies (or democratic socialist countries). If socialism were a political system, then what the heck does democratic socialism mean? Two opposing political systems in one? And if communism were an economic system, then how come there are no nations recognized as democratic communist or communist democracies?

But hey, who am I to argue with a guy who has a degree in Social Science, right? Riiiight…