What is Communism in its purest form? It is not Capitalism. Is it Socialism? Exactly how communism differs from socialism has long been a matter of debate, but the distinction rests largely on the communists’ adherence to the revolutionary socialism of Karl Marx.
Marx identified two phases of communism that would follow the predicted overthrow of capitalism.
The first would be a transitional system in which the working class would control the government and economy yet still find it necessary to pay people according to how long, hard, or well they worked,
The second would be fully realized communism—a society without class divisions or government, in which the production and distribution of goods would be based upon the principle “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
Nowadays, Communism is a type of government as well as an economic system (a way of creating and sharing wealth). In a Communist system, individual people do not own land, factories, or machinery. Instead, the government or the whole community owns these things. Obviously, individuals must have ownership of the things needed for day-to-day living - clothes, food, vehicles, the key to the door of their dwelling.
Countries which claim to be "communist" actually exist within a system based on the ideas of Marx, but molded to suit the power plays of the leaders of the strongest political factions.