Com"mu*nism (?), n. [F. communisme, fr. commun common.] A scheme of equalizing the social conditions of life; specifically, a scheme which contemplates the abolition of inequalities in the possession of property, as by distributing all wealth equally to all, or by holding all wealth in common for the equal use and advantage of all.

&fist; At different times, and in different countries, various schemes pertaining to socialism in government and the conditions of domestic life, as well as in the distribution of wealth, have been called communism.

• A socialist society in which resources are held collectively, under the slogan "from each according to his or her ability, and to each according to his or her need", and in which the State is either abolished because it is harmful or withers away because it is no longer required. Communism is the final aim of revolutionary socialist ideologies such as Marxism and anarchism.
  
• A socialist philosophy advocating the form of society known as communism (see above)
  
• The ideology of parties that use the term "Communist" in their name, i.e. Leninists and Stalinists.
  
• The socio-economic system in countries ruled by regimes that use the term "Communist", i.e. Leninist and Stalinist governments running systems involving tight State control of industry and the populace.
  
• A classless, stateless, society in which its members have free access to all resources.