Communism is considered a taboo in America, a country bound by its commitment to democracy and rule by the people in the very words of its constitution. Communism is defined as a concept or system of society in which the major resources and means of production are owned by the community rather than by individuals. In theory, societies would provide for equal sharing of all work, according to ability, and all benefits, according to need. Communist societies assume that coercive government would be unnecessary and therefore that such a society would be without rulers. However, until such time that a country can rule itself, communism involves the abolition of private property by a revolutionary movement and responsibility for meeting public needs is then vested in the state.
Socialists believe that capitalism and private ownership are flawed.
They believe that private ownership leads to levels of inequality. In a democracy, the equality of opportunity is considered an acceptable means of offering everyone a chance to succeed. Socialism goes one step further and demands substantial equality of outcome as well. Socialists believe that to be truly free to participate in the many possibilities that democratic states offer, one must be free from hunger, disease and poverty as well. Socialists feel that public ownership and control of an egalitarian society will improve human relations in general.