Communism is a political and economic ideology that aims for a classless society where all property is publicly owned. In this system, the means of production, such as factories and farms, are controlled by the community or the state, eliminating private ownership. The idea is to distribute resources and wealth equally among all individuals, reducing social inequalities. The concept of communism was popularized by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century, particularly in their work, the Communist Manifesto. Various countries, including the former Soviet Union and China, have implemented communist systems, though the outcomes and interpretations have varied significantly.