Communism Intro What are the characteristics of communism you find in the article? Why would Americans be so opposed to communism, and react swiftly to prevent its spread?

Workers of the world, unite!

Evolution of Society Free Market Capitalism – “market structure in which the distribution and costs of goods and services, wages, interest rates … are coordinated by supply and demand unhindered by external regulation” Emphasis on freedom of the individual Laissez-faire Self-government / self-regulation Socialism – “economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production…” – everyone shares in the wealth generated by the economy Achieved through economic regulation, price and wage controls, taxes, and social welfare spending More government controls Redistribution of wealth “Dictatorship of the proletariat” Communism – “a revolutionary socialist movement to create a classless, moneyless and stateless social order structured upon common ownership of the means of production.” Distribution of resources based on need Centrally planned economy Exceedingly totalitarian No freedom of the individual