Final answer:
Communism is an ideology that advocates for a classless society with collective ownership and control of resources. It shapes the political and economic systems in countries like China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. Communist governments play a central role in decision-making processes and aim to promote equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communism is an ideology that advocates for the establishment of a classless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole. In a communist system, the government plays a central role in controlling the economy and making decisions about the distribution of resources. The communist governments in countries like China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam shape their political and economic systems based on communist principles.
For example, in China, the ruling Chinese Communist Party maintains control over the political system and the economy. The party maintains a strong influence on decision-making processes and implements policies to promote equality and collective ownership. In Cuba, the Communist Party of Cuba controls the government and the economy, implementing central planning and state ownership of industries. Similarly, in North Korea, the Workers' Party holds power and exercises control over all aspects of political and economic life.
Compared to capitalist systems, communism aims to promote equality by redistributing wealth and resources. However, the centralized control can limit personal freedoms and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the economies of communist nations often face challenges in terms of productivity and innovation.