Communism

History

Among the earliest discussion of communism as a moral concept is Plato's Republic, which is an extended meditation on the question of justice. The just society, according to Plato, is one in which those with wisdom rule over the others. Wisdom is embodied in the ruling class of guardians and, ultimately, in a philosophical elite. These “philosopher-kings” would rule justly and disinterestedly, living communally and without private property. Merchants and craftsmen would be permitted some private property but would be barred from governing. In addition to abandoning private property among the ruling class, a just society, according to Plato, would also abolish traditional familial relationships and recruit the ruling class from among the children of all members of society. Plato, thus, proposes a system that is simultaneously egalitarian and elitist, insofar as any child may potentially be drafted to serve as a member of the guardians, but only those deemed to be the “best” among the members of society are permitted to share in its governance.

Unlike many later versions of communism, only the elite abandon private property. Ordinary citizens, incapable of abandoning and transcending their desires to contemplate the good, true, and beautiful, are not expected to live communistically. The rulers, on the other hand, knowing the nature of the good, don't desire material goods and, according to Plato, are not susceptible to the corruption that other, baser political and economic arrangements engender.

Some early Christian communities seem to have subscribed to a communist social arrangement. According to the New Testament account in the Acts of the Apostles, “the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common” (Acts 4:32). However, it is not clear how this common possession was administered. The author of Acts relates the story of Ananias and Saphira, a couple who sells a plot of land but keeps some of the proceeds for themselves. Peter admonishes Ananias, “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal?” This would seem to imply that the community of goods was at least somewhat voluntary. Even so, it is noteworthy that the author of Acts discusses these events in the past tense. However, it was that the early Church held property in common; within only a few decades, it appears to have abandoned the practice.

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