Anonymous asked: "The definition of Communism somewhat differs depending on where you look. It does not require people to become mindless drones, devoid of personality and individuality."
It should be pointed out that when people say Communism, they tend to mean Marxism. Marxism, however, does require people to give up all economic freedom for the sake of collectivism, and in essence does create a system that punishes individuality, because (as the previous anonymous poster pointed out) absolute conformity for the greater good is required. In the same way utilitarianism punishes minorities who don't conform to the wishes of the majority, Marxism punishes individuals who don't conform to the same economic and social ideals. In essence, devoid of personality? Not necessarily, but devoid of individuality? Almost certainly yes.
Of course then you get yourself into the debate as to what is most important, because saying Marxism doesn't work because it punishes individualism relies on the assumption that one puts individualism before numerous other factors. Many would argue that the upholding of basic liberties and freedoms is the hallmark of a good society, whereas others would argue that equality of outcome and equal distribution of goods is, but this is a whole other debate that is probably best to avoid getting into.
(I'm not the same poster as the last one, by the way)
Communism not against the individual but it is the only real celebration of individualism possible and It aims to achieve this through positive freedom. Under communism people are supposed to have the liberty and the capability to do whatever they wish, as long as this does not inhibit the liberty and capability of others to do the same.
