What is communism in simple words and examples?

Communism is a political and economic idea where the community (usually the state) owns all major property and resources, aiming for a classless society with equal wealth distribution, eliminating private ownership and social classes, with the motto "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need". A simple example is a communal farm, where everyone works the land (the means of production), and the food produced is shared equally among the members, rather than being owned by one person who then sells it for profit.

What is communism in very simple terms?

Communism is a political and economic ideology aiming for a classless society where the community (or state) owns all property and the means of production (like factories, farms), eliminating private ownership and wealth inequality, with resources distributed based on need ("from each according to his ability, to each according to his need"). While theoretically promoting equality, in practice, communist states have often involved a totalitarian single party controlling the economy and society.
 

Why is communism considered bad?

Criticism of the Soviet Union and Third World communist regimes have been strongly anchored in scholarship on totalitarianism which asserts that communist parties maintain themselves in power without the consent of the governed and rule by means of political repression, secret police, propaganda disseminated through ...

What are some examples of communism?

Examples of communism include current single-party states like China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam, and historical examples like the Soviet Union, all characterized by state control, collective ownership, and rejection of private property, though modern versions often allow some market reforms. Historically, communist regimes implemented state-controlled economies, centralized planning, and suppression of dissent, aiming for classless societies, but often resulted in authoritarianism. 

What happens when a country becomes communist?

Communist states usually affirm that the working class is the state's ruling class and that the most class-conscious workers lead the state through the communist party, establishing the dictatorship of the proletariat as its class system and, by extension, the socialist state, which will eventually wither away into a ...

What is Communism? Communism Explained | Property Vs Personal Property | Communism Vs Capitalism

Who are communists in the USA?

The Communist Party USA (CPUSA), officially the Communist Party of the United States of America, is a far-left communist party in the United States. It was established in 1919 in the wake of the Russian Revolution, emerging from the left wing of the Socialist Party of America (SPA).

What countries are 100% communist?

There are five countries officially governed by communist single-party states: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam, all ruled by Marxist-Leninist parties that maintain state control, although most have introduced market-based economic reforms, with North Korea being the most totalitarian and isolated. While they follow communist ideology, none fully embody the pure, stateless, classless society envisioned by Karl Marx, existing more as authoritarian socialist states on a path toward communism or incorporating socialist elements into their systems. 

What is the difference between socialism and communism?

Socialism aims for social ownership of production through democratic reform, allowing some private property, while communism is the final stage, seeking a stateless, classless society with no private property, where the state controls everything for communal needs, often envisioned as achieved through revolution. Think of socialism as a transitional system or a broader ideology for fairer distribution, and communism as the ultimate, stateless goal, though in practice, "socialist" states often operate more like authoritarian communist systems.
 

What are three pros of communism?

The Benefits of Communism

• People are equal. ...
• Every citizen can keep a job. ...
• There is an internally stable economic system. ...
• Strong social communities are established. ...
• Competition doesn't exist. ...
• Efficient distribution of resources.

Who is a well-known communist?

Joseph Stalin (18 December 1878 to 5 March 1953)

Joseph Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili) was General Secretary of the Soviet Union's Communist Party from 1922 to 1953 and Soviet Premier from 1941 to 1953. He allied with the United States (US) against Hitler's Germany in World War II.

What did Jesus say about communism?

In Luke 12:33, Jesus commands his disciples to sell what they have and give alms, and in Luke 14:33 says that no one can be his disciple who has not forsaken all his possessions. Some historians confirm the view that a form of communism was taught by Jesus and practised by the apostles.

Why is the US so against communism?

Individuals or groups form their own businesses, which can lead to the development of wealth. The government has complete control over the production and distribution of goods. Americans are worried that the spread of Communism threatens their freedoms, their individuality, and their way of living.

Has communism ever been a success?

Although Marxist theory suggested that industrial societies were the most suitable places for social revolution (either through peaceful transition or by force of arms), communism was mostly successful in underdeveloped countries with endemic poverty such as the Republic of China.

What countries are communist today?

Today, there are five countries officially governed by communist parties: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam, though they vary in their economic systems, with some allowing more market reforms (like China and Vietnam) while others maintain stricter state control (like North Korea). These states are characterized by one-party rule, with their ruling parties holding absolute political power, even as some have adopted socialist-oriented market economies. 

Do communists believe in God?

Communism—theoretically, ideologically, and historically—opposes God and all forms of religion. From the time of Karl Marx to today, communism is based on the abolition of religion. In 1844, Marx wrote, “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions.

Does communism allow private property?

A communist society entails the absence of private property and social classes, and ultimately money and the state. Communism is a part of the broader socialist movement. Communists often seek a voluntary state of self-governance but disagree on the means to this end.

What countries are successful in communism?

While "successful" is subjective, China and Vietnam are often cited for significant economic growth and poverty reduction under single-party communist rule, alongside Cuba, Laos, and North Korea as current communist states; historical examples like the early Soviet Union showed gains in literacy and healthcare but faced immense challenges, with some socialist states achieving better health outcomes than capitalist ones at similar development levels, though data varies widely. 

What is fascism vs communism?

Fascism and communism are both authoritarian, anti-democratic ideologies that suppress individual rights for a collective goal, but they differ fundamentally in their focus: Communism aims for a stateless, classless society through the collective ownership of property, emphasizing economic equality (far-left), while Fascism promotes extreme nationalism, hierarchy, militarism, and state control, often with private property existing under state direction (far-right). Communism seeks international solidarity and abolishes class, whereas Fascism champions national supremacy and maintains a rigid societal structure. 

Do people work in communism?

Communism is a highly organised society of free, socially conscious working people a society in which public self-government will be established, a society in which labour for the good of society will become the prime vital requirement of everyone, a clearly recognised necessity, and the ability of each person will be ...

Is Kamala Harris socialist or capitalist?

Kamala Harris identifies as a supporter of middle-class capitalism, focusing on pro-business policies that benefit working families, rather than being a strict socialist or purely capitalist; she supports government intervention for social programs (like child tax credits, housing) but rejects more radical socialist ideas like Medicare for All that she supported in the past, positioning herself towards the center-left. 

Why do Christians not like socialism?

It is viewed critically by some socialists, who reject it as utopian socialism and for its methodology, and by some religious figures and popes, who rejected socialism's compatibility with Christianity due to its perceived atheism and materialism.

What is the opposite of communism?

Anti-communism has been an element of many movements and different political positions across the political spectrum, including anarchism, centrism, conservatism, fascism, liberalism, nationalism, social democracy, socialism, leftism, and libertarianism, as well as broad movements resisting communist governance.

Is there any communists in the USA?

The Communist Party USA (CPUSA) is an American political party with a communist platform that was founded in 1919.

How much of Gen Z is socialist?

A significant portion of Gen Z holds favorable views towards socialism, with polls showing figures ranging from around 49% to 62% having a positive view of the term "socialism," and some suggesting that a similar percentage holds a more positive view of socialism than capitalism, though this often reflects a desire for greater economic fairness rather than support for Marxist-Leninist systems, with many also supporting socialist policies like strong social safety nets. This sentiment is often linked to economic anxieties and dissatisfaction with capitalism, making it a complex issue where definitions vary. 

Who is the father of communism?

Karl Marx is widely known as the "Father of Communism" for co-authoring The Communist Manifesto (1848) with Friedrich Engels, laying the theoretical groundwork for modern communism through his critiques of capitalism and analysis of class struggle, collectively known as Marxism. While earlier utopian socialists existed, Marx and Engels provided the influential framework of historical materialism and proletarian revolution that defined 20th-century communist movements.