Who first came up with the notion of communism?

Answer 1

The notion of communism can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. However, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are credited with developing the modern concept of communism in their works like the "Communist Manifesto" in the mid-19th century.

Answer 2

Communism was published as a scientific philosophy by Karl Marx. The baic idea that society should be run for the good of the entire community rather than by individuals out for their own profit had been around. In fact Marx first joined a political party called the Communist League before he wrote "The Communist Manifesto."

Answer 3

Many people have contributed to the idea of Communism. It was created as a way to ensure eqauality among everyone.

Despite later alterations to the communism of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, these two men for all practical purposes were the original designers of communism. The final outcome of what they called a scientific process was a world without the need of a government. So-called socialists of their time did not expound on the science of their brands of socialism.

Soviet dictatorships were just that. A socialist one that did not fit the pattern established by Marx and Engels.

Karl Marx and Leon Trotsky are credited with the basic concepts, with a lot of formative input from Vladimir Illyich Lenin, near the beginning of the 20th century. At the time, there was a large amount of class stratification in the world, and especially in the Russian Empire. Communism opposed the idea of a theocratically or geneologically selected ruler, i.e. someone who got to be emperor supposedly by the grace of God and certainly by right of birth. Instead, the maxim at the heart of Marxist Communism, was "From each according to his abilities; to each according to their needs."

The original prototypical form of pure Communism in fact wanted to dispense with currency altogether, and communally share everything. Farmers and factory workers were (theoretically) considered "Heros of the State", and managers who didn't produce anything were considered to be of less worth than the workers. Note that this is purely an economic form -- it's Not a form of government, as this would work as well (or as poorly) with a republic, a democracy, an oligarchy, or even a benevolent Dictatorship (as long as the people selected the leader).

his utopian idea didn't last long. Mark died, Trotsky was exiled, and finally murdered in 1940, suspected to be at the hands of the NKVD -- the KGB's predecessor. Lenin died in the 1920's, and the control of the USSR went to Ioseph Stalin, a complete, totalitarian dictator who pretty much did away with any utopian ideas the original form of Communism had to offer. Currency had been reinstated some time ago, and the draconian measure of control at all levels of life gave way to a concept expressed beautifully by an anoymous Soviet joke: "As long as they pretend to pay us, we shall pretend to work."

However you'd like to describe Russian in the late 20th and early 21st century, you can't really call them Marxist -- the original concept of communism has been dead for a very long time.

Answer 4

Communism was founded on the theories of Karl Marx (1818-1883). Together with Friedrich Engels, he wrote "The Communist Manifesto" (first published in 1848).