Classless society
The classless society promoted by the Communist leaders and theorists such as Karl Marx the ideal and inevitable final stage of society is, itself, called communism (with a small c). In this utopia, the socialist state created ruled by the dictatorship of the proletariat will have "withered away".
- In this society, voluntary cooperation would replace coercion so there would be no need for governments, armies, police, courts, prisons and taxes. As each individual fulfilled his own desires, he would automatically minister to the well-being of others. In this classless, governmentless society, the slogan would be: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." [1]
The transition from socialism to communism, unlike all previous transitions, will be a peaceful rather than a violent one. However, Marx gave no explanation for why this might be so. In fact, it contradicts his theory of historical progress via revolution; see historical materialism.
Some scholars of Communism attempt to distinguish between Communism with a big C (the political system which has created socialism in the real world and communism with a small c (the ideal stage predicted to follow socialism but which has never been seen anywhere). Not all writers respect this big C, little c distinction.