What is Communism?

What are the pros and cons of communism?

• NO PREFERENCES ALLOWED. I am seriously starting to doubt Americas view on equality. I see articles every day about people who are persecuted for who they are by people who are either barely different or who claim they stand for equality, but hate a specific type of person. I think the type of equality that is best can be described by the word communism. Do you hate "commies"? Well here is the definition of communism: An established form of government in which all people are treated as equals. It seems that this idea does not work because of greedy individuals. Seems to me that a greedy person does not completely understand equality, or the idea of communism. Please spare me the explanation about the private property part of communism, as that(in my opinion) should not be part of the idea. Other than what i have said; what are the pros and cons of communism?

• Answer:

  pros: everybody is equal in terms of income, quality of life, etc. cons: everybody is equally poor. B/c there is no point putting effort into anything; "the greater good" is not a very effective incentive. Your definition is wrong. Western governments already treat people as equals, it's the greedy markets that pay more money to people with job skills, talents, or willpower. Communism is one of two things: Either no government at all, with people working "for the greater good", and consuming "only what they need". Or government is in charge of everything, and gives everybody equal amount of consumer goods. Edit#2: Communism: nobody has washers or iPads. Capitalism: you have a washer but no iPad, while somebody has both a washer and an iPad, as well as better house than you.