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Meaning of Word

Communist refers to a person who supports or advocates for communism, a political ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the people.

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. A person who believes in or supports the principles of communism.
2. A member of a communist political party or movement.
3. A person who advocates for the elimination of private property and the establishment of a society based on collective ownership.

History and Origin

The term communist originates from the word communism, which comes from the French word communisme, derived from commun (meaning “shared” or “common”). It was popularized in the 19th century by thinkers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who argued that class struggles between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) would lead to the establishment of a classless, stateless society. The word communism first appeared in the 1840s, and by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, communist parties were formed in various countries, particularly after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Detailed Explanation

A communist is someone who believes in the system of communism, which aims to abolish private property, class distinctions, and economic inequalities. In communist theory, all resources, including land, labor, and capital, should be collectively owned and controlled by the people, rather than by private individuals or corporations. Communism advocates for a society where wealth and resources are distributed based on needs, not on individual profit. Historically, the term has been associated with left-wing political movements, and in the 20th century, it became closely tied to the Soviet Union and other socialist states.

However, the implementation of communism has been a subject of much debate. While the ideology itself promotes equality, historical attempts at establishing communist governments, such as in the Soviet Union or China, have often led to authoritarian regimes, with varying degrees of success or failure in achieving a true classless society.

Example Sentences

1. He is a committed communist who believes in the redistribution of wealth.
2. The communist revolution in Russia led to the formation of the Soviet Union.
3. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in ideological conflict, with one representing capitalism and the other communism.
4. The communist party in the country advocates for a greater role of the government in the economy.
5. Some people argue that communism is the best way to ensure equality for all, while others point to the failures of past communist regimes.
6. The communist manifesto outlined the goals for the working class to overthrow the capitalist system.
7. He was labeled a communist during the McCarthy era due to his political beliefs.
8. The country embraced communist ideals after the revolution, nationalizing all private property.
9. Many intellectuals in the 20th century were drawn to communist thought as an alternative to capitalism.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Marxist: A follower of the ideas of Karl Marx, often associated with communism.
2. Socialist: A person who advocates for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production, often linked to but broader than communism.
3. Radical: A person advocating for significant, often revolutionary changes, typically in line with communist ideology.
4. Leftist: A person who supports left-wing political ideas, including those of communism or socialism.
5. Proletarian: A working-class person, often used in communist contexts to describe the class that would lead a revolution against the capitalist class.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Socialism: A political and economic system advocating for collective or government ownership and administration of the means of production, often a precursor to communism.
2. Revolution: The overthrow of a political system, often associated with communist movements.
3. Bolshevism: A branch of Marxism that led to the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union.
4. Collectivism: The practice of collective ownership or control over resources, often seen in communist systems.
5. Proletariat: The working class, particularly in Marxist theory, which is expected to overthrow capitalism and establish a communist society.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Communist Party: A political party that supports the principles of communism and aims to establish a communist society.
2. Marxism: The theories of Karl Marx, which form the foundation of communist ideology.
3. Soviet Union: A former communist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, based on Marxist-Leninist principles.
4. Cuban Revolution: A successful communist revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro in 1959.
5. Red Scare: A period of intense fear of communism in the United States, particularly during the early to mid-20th century.

Antonyms

1. Capitalist: A person who believes in or supports the principles of capitalism, where the means of production are privately owned.
2. Liberal: A person who advocates for individual freedoms and market-driven economies, often opposed to communism.
3. Conservative: A person who favors traditional institutions and limited government intervention, generally opposed to radical ideologies like communism.
4. Reactionary: A person who opposes political or social progress, often associated with opposition to communism.
5. Individualist: A person who values individual rights and freedom, often in contrast to the collectivism found in communist thought.