Communism

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 toa still higher standard of justice that all should work according to their capacity and receive ac cording to their wants. 1 Mill, Pol. Ec. 248.

A name given to schemes of social innovation which have for their common starting-point the overthrow of absolute rights of ownership in private property as an institution. Most theories further comprehend the regulation of industry and the sources of livelihood, as well as of the domestic relations, and some involve the abrogation of all central authority in a State, and the substitution of that of the commune.* It is the latter feature that constitutes a distinction between commimismand socialism.* See Anarchy; Government; Nihilist.