Communism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless society in which all property and resources are owned and controlled by the community as a whole rather than by individuals or private entities.
Communism is based on the idea that the means of production (such as factories, land, and natural resources) should be collectively owned and operated by the workers or the community rather than by capitalists or business owners.
The basic tenets of communism were first outlined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century, and since then, various forms of communist theory and practice have emerged around the world. Communist parties have governed countries such as the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and Vietnam, among others.
In practice, communist societies have been characterized by central planning, state control of the economy, and the suppression of dissenting views or opposition groups. Critics of communism argue that it is inherently flawed because it ignores the role of individual incentives and competition in driving innovation, growth, and progress. In contrast, proponents of communism argue that it offers a more equitable and just system that prioritizes the community’s needs over the interests of individuals or businesses.