Historical Background: Property Public Ownership

INTRODUCTION:
Communism, political and economic doctrine that aims to

replace private property and a profit-based economy with
public ownership and communal control of at least the major
means of production (e.g., mines, mills, and factories) and
the natural resources of a society. Communism is thus a form
of socialism—a higher and more advanced form, according to
its advocates. Exactly how communism differs from socialism
has long been a matter of debate, but the distinction rests
largely on the communists’ adherence to the revolutionary
socialism of Karl Marx.
Historical background
Although the term communism did not come into use until
the 1840s—it is derived from the Latin communis, meaning
“shared” or “common”—visions of a society that may be
considered communist appeared as long ago as the 4th
century BCE. In the ideal state described in Plato’s Republic,
the governing class of guardians devotes itself to serving the
interests of the whole community. Because private ownership
of goods would corrupt their owners by encouraging
selfishness, Plato argued, the guardians must live as a large
family that shares common ownership not only of material
goods but also of spouses and children.
Meaning:
 a system in which goods are owned in common and are

available to all as needed.
 a theory advocating elimination of private property
Definion:
According to black’s law dictionary:
A name given to proposed systems of life or social organization based upon the
fundamental principle of the non-existence of private property and of a
community of goods in a society. An equality of distribution of the physical
means of life and enjoyment as a transition to a still higher standard of justice
that all should work according to their capacity and receive according to their
wants.
Characteristics of Communism in Theory:

In the Communist Manifesto, Marx and co-author Friedrich Engels outlined
the following 10 points:
 Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public

purposes.
 A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
 Abolition of all right of inheritance.
 Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
 Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies especially
for agriculture.
 The combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries. The
gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country. This will be
achieved by a more equable distribution of population over the country.
 Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's
factory labor. The combination of education with industrial production.
 Centralization of credit in the hands of the state. It would own a national
bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.
 The state would control communication and transportation.
 The state factories and instruments of production. It would cultivate
wastelands and improve the soil. This would follow a common plan.
List of Pros of Communism
 In a communist form of government, no one is royalty,

and everybody will have equal access to education,
health and food. Generally put, all resources are of the
state and governed by a group of people who represent
the entire mass, who would own everything that is
there, except for those that are personally owned.
Basically, its concept ensures that everyone would live in
peace without any fear of a ruling elite or an upper
class. Everyone has the right to live their lives with
dignity and will be ensured welfare with favor or fear
for none.
 Unlike capitalist countries that tend to restrict

health care access to wealthy and influential groups of
people, communist nations would allow their citizens to
receive the medical attention they need, which is
typically free.
 When members of society are able to contribute and

work, there will be a natural decrease in the overall
unemployment rate of a country, also leading to a
decrease in crime rates because no one is coerced to
commit illegal actions to ensure that his family is fed
and his bills, paid. Also, peasants would no longer need
to fear a lessened economic status as long as they are
willing to work every day and perform their duties.
Generally speaking, there will be less instances of social
differences.
 An easy way to ensure a class-less society is breaking

down the barriers of education, and that is what
communism intends to do, unlike in capitalism where,
typically, it is only the wealthy who will have access to
high levels of education. In communist countries, every
child will be given the same level of study opportunities
as other children, shrinking the divide between classes
until it is essentially non-existent.
 As everyone is equal in communism, there would be

no social disharmony. Also, the country imposes stricter
foreign policies to deal with other nations, and the
government would think of the entire population when
making certain decisions, allowing no favor for anyone.
Rather, money will be spent for the welfare of all the
citizens.
List of Cons of Communism

 Communism can be endorsed in any political scenario,
paving the way for a dictatorial government or a
democratically elected government. For the latter, it
can have some substantiation, as the people would be
participating in the elections. However, with the
former, communism would not explain the reasons why
people could not choose their leaders and through what
virtue the rulers have attained their positions.
 While citizens would live under the same economic

terms and are assured of the same pay checks,
communism is not a good environment for businesses to
flourish. Unlike in a capitalist society, where there is
virtually no limit as to what businesses will earn, a
communist form of government would put a hard cap
on a business’s ability to grow.
 There is little room to have ambitions in a

communist country, since everyone is the same and no
one is expected to do something out of the ordinary.
Personal growth or development does not thrive in a
communist regime.
 Due to lack of industrial growth, communism would

end up creating some sort of employment problems.
Also, there would be little technological, social and
cultural evolution as well as financial growth, as it is just
confined to certain sectors that are encouraged by the
state.
 Who says that communism cannot be corrupt as

capitalism? Historical evidence shows that communist
regimes or parties had become a circle of individuals
and influential political leaders who benefited from
their rule, often ending up living more lavishly and
luxuriously than normal citizens. As ironic as it is that
this political system aims to make everyone have similar
lives, it made its leaders living like royalties.
 In a communist regime, there will be no free media,

and the government would be omnipresent and
omnipotent. The state would intervene in almost
everything—a policy that would become or even exceed
“stifling the freedom” of its citizens.
Conclusion:

Historical Background: Property Public Ownership

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INTRODUCTION:

Communism, political and economic doctrine that aims to

 a system in which goods are owned in common and are

 a theory advocating elimination of private property

According to black’s law dictionary:

Characteristics of Communism in Theory:

 Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public

List of Pros of Communism

 In a communist form of government, no one is royalty,

 Unlike capitalist countries that tend to restrict

 When members of society are able to contribute and

 An easy way to ensure a class-less society is breaking

 As everyone is equal in communism, there would be

List of Cons of Communism

 While citizens would live under the same economic

 There is little room to have ambitions in a

 Due to lack of industrial growth, communism would

 Who says that communism cannot be corrupt as

 In a communist regime, there will be no free media,

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