In theory, a Communist state should have no government at all because all property is collectively owned. But in practice, Communist countries often operate under single-party rule where the state controls all major aspects of life — including the economy, media, education, and even personal freedoms.
Key features include:
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Centralized economic planning (no free market)
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Limited political freedom
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Equal distribution of basic needs (in theory)
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Suppression of dissent to maintain control
Examples of current or former Communist states include:
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Soviet Union (USSR) – the first Communist state, formed after the Russian Revolution in 1917.
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People's Republic of China – established in 1949 under Mao Zedong.
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Cuba – became Communist after Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959.
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North Korea – under the rule of the Kim family since 1948.