Communism is a political, sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology within the socialist movement that aims to establish a classless society where all means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned communally rather than privately. In a communist society, there is no private property, no social classes, no money, and ultimately no state, with goods and services distributed based on need
. The core idea is to eliminate the exploitation inherent in capitalism, where a minority owning class (bourgeoisie) profits from the labor of the working class (proletariat). Communism seeks to empower the working class to take control of the means of production through social revolution, leading to common ownership and the end of class distinctions
. Communism has various forms and interpretations, including libertarian socialism, Marxist-Leninism, and anarchist communism, but all share the goal of a society free from class inequality and private ownership
. Historically, communist ideology was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century, notably in "The Communist Manifesto" (1848), and later adapted by leaders like Vladimir Lenin
. In practice, communist states have often involved strong state control and planned economies, with the state playing a central role in transforming society and suppressing dissent to achieve the communist ideal
. Countries that have officially followed communist ideologies include the Soviet Union (now dissolved), China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and North Korea, though their implementations have varied significantly
. In essence, communism envisions a utopian society where wealth and resources are shared equally, social classes are abolished, and all individuals have equal rights and opportunities
