ABSTRACT
In the communist regimes of the twentieth century, millions suffered physical and psychological horrors in what was meant to be the creation of an exploitation-free post-capitalist society. This chapter introduces Marx’s ideas on communism, which are quite different to the communist societies of the previous century. It discusses the Communist Manifesto, and while this is an immensely important document, containing most of Marx’s key ideas on capitalism, communism, and revolution, it does not contain all of Marx’s thoughts on communism as a social, political, and economic ideology. Like any other thinker, his ideas changed over the course of his life. The chapter presents some of the former and still existing communist states so people can better understand Marx’s distinctive contribution. The Paris Commune was a worker-led insurrection that occupied the centre of the French capital for some 70 days in 1871. Marx’s analysis of the struggle of the Communards was given in The Civil War in France.
