Communism is political system in which individual freedom and private ownership are restricted by the party in power. true false
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: True
Communism is a political and economic ideology where individual freedom and private ownership are generally restricted by the state or ruling party.
Explanation (300 words):
Communism, as envisioned by thinkers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a system aimed at creating a classless, stateless society where the means of production—factories, land, and capital—are owned collectively rather than privately. In practice, however, countries that have adopted communism as a governing system, such as the former Soviet Union, China under Mao Zedong, and North Korea, often end up concentrating political and economic power in the hands of a single ruling party.
In these systems, individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to dissent are frequently curtailed. The justification for these restrictions is often that personal freedoms must be limited to protect the collective good or to maintain order during the transition to a fully communist society. In reality, these limits often serve to maintain the control of the ruling party.
Private ownership, especially of large businesses or land, is also restricted or abolished altogether. Instead, the state owns and controls most resources and industries. Individuals may own small personal items, but they cannot own enterprises that generate profit from others’ labor. This is based on the communist goal of eliminating class distinctions created by private capital accumulation.
While the ideals of communism call for equality, fairness, and communal well-being, the practical applications of communism have historically led to authoritarian regimes. Power is often concentrated in a centralized government, with a single party controlling both the state and the economy.
Therefore, it is true that communism often involves significant restrictions on individual freedom and private ownership, especially under governments that identify themselves as communist in practice, not just theory.