Meaning, Principles and Features of Communism

What is Communism?

Communism is a political and economic system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are commonly owned and equally distributed. It is a system based on the principle of “to each according to his capacity” and “to each according to his needs”. It is the last stage of socialism.

It is based on the teachings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their book, The Communist Manifesto.

The highest degree of socialism is achieved where there is a classless societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More based on equality and this will be achieved through revolution, use of force and violence in the “class struggle”. And the state withers away one day and the workers and peasants will rule themselves without the state. No state has reached this stage.

The slogan of communism is:

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Karl Marx

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist expanded on the principles of Marxism, as did Lenin’s eventual successor, Joseph Stalin. Their ideas evolved into Marxism-Leninism, which rather than seeing the state wither away, called for rule by a single political party. That was the system that governed the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.

Today, only five countries—China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam—have communist governments.

Principles of Communism and Karl Marx:

(i) The Proletariat: This is the working class. They sell their labour for wages.

(ii) BourgeoisieThe bourgeoisie is the ruling class in Marx's theory of class struggle under capitalism. The bourgeoisie is the property-owning class who own the means of production (e.g. factories) and employ and... More or Capitalist: These are the employers of labour. They own and control the means of production in capitalist states.

(iii) The transformative society progression is 

Feudalism → Capitalism → Socialism → Communism

(iv) Existence of two antagonistic groups: proletariats and bourgeoisies.

(v) There will be a social revolution.

(vi) There will be a dictatorship of the proletariat.

(vii) The state will wither away after the capitalist has been overthrown.

Features of Communism:

(i) Means of production, distribution, and exchange are commonly owned.

(ii) Existence of classless society. No social stratification in society.

(iii) No tolerance of opposition.

(iv) Most communist states are one-party states.

(v) The use of force is applied by the state to achieve its goals.

(vi) Most communist leaders are dictators.

(vii) The citizens enjoy an equal distribution of the nation’s wealth.

(viii) The economy is collectively planned.

(ix) There is full employment for those who have the capability.

(x) Private enterprise or ownership of means of production is not allowed.

(xi) Decisions are reached by consensus.

(xii) The state withers away.