2.4. Communism

Communism seeks to establish a classless, stateless society where property is communally owned.

Communism is a political ideology that aims to eliminate social classes and create a society where all property is owned together, meaning that no individual has private ownership. In a communist society, everything is shared among the community rather than being in the hands of individuals or corporations, thereby preventing wealth disparity.

Imagine a neighborhood where no one owns their own houses. Instead, all homes are communal spaces that everyone can use as needed. This way, no one is richer or poorer than anyone else because the resources are shared equally.

It is often associated with a revolutionary approach to achieving its goals.

Communism typically advocates for a revolutionary change, meaning that a significant upheaval in the existing system is needed to establish a truly communist society. This often involves the overthrow of current governments that are seen as oppressing the working class and using their power to maintain inequities in wealth and social structures.

Think of a group of friends wanting to take over a messy and unfair game at recess where some players dominate and others are left out. They may decide to change the rules altogether through a discussion that leads them to establish a new fair game where everyone has equal chances to play.

Impact: Centralized planning and control of the economy.

In a communist system, the government typically manages all aspects of the economy. This means that instead of supply and demand determining prices and production, the government decides what to produce and how much based on what it deems necessary for the welfare of the community. This centralized planning is intended to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that everyone gets what they need.

Imagine a school cafeteria where instead of students choosing their meals based on their preferences, the school administration decides what food is prepared each day, aiming to ensure that every student eats a balanced diet. While it ensures health for all, some students might not like the meals served.

Impact: Abolition of private property.

One central tenet of communism is the idea that private property should be abolished. This means that individuals cannot own land, businesses, or other forms of wealth. Instead, all property should serve the community's interests. The rationale behind this is that private ownership leads to inequality and exploitation, and by removing it, everyone contributes to and benefits equally from communal resources.

Consider a group of friends who decide they will all use a shared library instead of each person buying their own books. In this way, each person can access a wide array of materials without the burden of personally owning a large collection, thus supporting the communal learning experience.

Impact: Suppression of political dissent in some historical implementations.

Historically, many attempts to establish communist societies have involved significant suppression of political opposition. Governments in communist states have often implemented strict controls on free speech and political freedoms to maintain their authority. This often results in a lack of political pluralism, where only the ruling party's voice is heard, creating an environment where dissent is not tolerated.

Imagine a school where only one student is allowed to bring ideas to class, and any student who disagrees is punished or silenced. This can create an environment of fear, where students are afraid to express their views, leading to a lack of genuine discussion and understanding.

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