A communist is an individual who supports or advocates for communism, a political and economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively. In a communist system, private property is abolished, and resources are distributed according to need rather than market forces. The ideology is rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, emphasizing the struggle between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class). Communism aims to eliminate social inequalities and promote collective welfare.