Legal Definitions - communism

Communism is a political and economic theory that advocates for a society where the means of production—such as factories, farms, and resources—are owned in common by the community rather than by private individuals or corporations. Its central aim is to eliminate social classes and economic inequality, with the ideal that individuals contribute to society based on their abilities and receive resources based on their needs. Historically, attempts to implement communist systems have often resulted in highly centralized, one-party governments with significant state control over all aspects of life.

• Example 1: A Collective Farming Community

  Imagine a small, self-sufficient community where all agricultural land, tools, and livestock are owned and managed collectively by its members. Each person contributes labor to planting, harvesting, and maintaining the farm according to their physical capabilities and skills. The food produced is then distributed among all members based on their families' needs, rather than being sold for individual profit or requiring members to purchase their share. This illustrates the core communist principle of common ownership of the means of production (the farm and its resources) and the distribution of goods based on need rather than private gain.

• Example 2: Nationalized Industries in a Centrally Planned Economy

  Consider a hypothetical nation where the government, inspired by communist ideology, nationalizes all major industries—including steel mills, energy companies, and transportation networks. Private ownership of these enterprises is abolished, and they are instead managed by the state on behalf of the entire population. Economic decisions, such as what to produce and how much, are made by a central planning committee rather than by market forces. This demonstrates the concept of abolishing private ownership in favor of state control (representing common ownership) over key economic sectors, a hallmark of many historical attempts to implement communist systems.

• Example 3: A Political Movement Advocating for Universal Services

  A political party campaigns on a platform that calls for the complete abolition of private healthcare and housing markets. Instead, they propose a system where all hospitals, clinics, and residential properties are owned and managed by the state, providing healthcare and housing as universal rights to all citizens, free at the point of use. Funding for these services would come from collective taxation, and access would be determined by need, not by an individual's ability to pay. This exemplifies the advocacy for common ownership of essential services and the distribution of resources based on need, moving away from a capitalist, private-profit model.