Communism Test: Am I a Communist?
Answer 10 quick questions about ownership, markets and the state. You'll see how communist you really are — alongside your socialist and capitalist scores — and the political archetype you're closest to.
Free · about 2 minutes · no sign-up
What does it mean to be a communist?
In the theory set out by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, communism is a classless society where the means of production — factories, land, resources — are owned in common rather than privately. Goods are distributed "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," and the state eventually becomes unnecessary.
That theoretical goal is different from the 20th-century communist states, such as the Soviet Union or Mao's China, which were one-party systems with centrally planned economies. Today, people who call themselves communists range from Marxist–Leninists who defend that model to libertarian communists who reject it.
Communist vs socialist: what's the difference?
⭐ Communism
- Abolish private ownership of productive property
- Replace markets with production for need
- End goal: no classes, and ultimately no state
- Usually sees revolution, not reform, as the route
✊ Socialism
- Social ownership or control of major industries
- Can coexist with markets and elections
- Strong public services and worker power
- In Marxist theory, the stage before communism
Not sure which you are? That's exactly what the test measures — you get a percentage for both.
Signs you might lean communist
You probably agree with statements like:
- Workplaces and major industries should be owned in common, not by private shareholders.
- Production should meet people's needs rather than generate profit.
- Markets can't be reformed enough to fix inequality — they need replacing.
- Economic planning would serve people better than competition.
- Politics is fundamentally a struggle between economic classes.
The communist-leaning results
If you lean communist, the test will place you closest to one of these:
Communist
A classless society, common ownership.
You favour the abolition of private ownership of the means of production and a classless society where resources are held and distributed in common. You see class conflict as the central engine of history.
Marxist–Leninist
Revolution, then a planned economy.
You hold strongly communist views with an emphasis on organised, state-led transformation — a vanguard leading the transition, central planning, and common ownership of production.
Marxist Socialist
Marx's analysis, a democratic road.
You share the Marxist critique of capitalism and favour common ownership, but you emphasise workers' democracy and bottom-up control over top-down command.
Lean more socialist? See the socialist archetypes. Curious about Marx specifically? Take the Marxist test.
Communism test FAQ
Is the communism test free?
Yes. It's 10 questions, takes about two minutes, and you see your result instantly — no sign-up or email needed.
How does the test work out if I'm a communist?
Each answer is scored on how it fits communist, socialist and capitalist positions on ownership, markets, planning and the role of the state. You get a percentage for each, plus the closest political archetype — so a result can be, say, 55% communist and 35% socialist.
What's the difference between a communist and a socialist?
Socialists want major industries owned or controlled socially, often alongside markets and elections. Communists aim further: abolishing private ownership of productive property and, eventually, social classes and the state itself. In Marxist theory socialism is the stage before communism.
Can I be both a socialist and a communist?
Many people score high on both — the two overlap a lot. The test shows your percentage for each, so you can see which way you lean.
Is this test accurate?
It's an educational tool, not a label. It measures your views on how the economy should be organised; it doesn't cover every social or foreign-policy question, and your answers can change over time.