The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

By Mohamed Miah

When most people hear the word “communism,” they shudder, imagining authoritarian regimes, gulags, or Big Brother-style surveillance. But what if I told you that the essence of communism is far closer to the values you hold dear—community, fairness, and equality—than the media and capitalist propaganda would have you believe? The truth is, the word “communism” has been hijacked, rebranded, and vilified to serve a purpose: to keep power firmly in the hands of the elite while the rest of us labour under the illusion of freedom.

There isn’t a single communist country in the world today. Not one. What we have instead are capitalist democracies where wealth decides elections, authoritarian regimes using state capitalism, and monarchies passing power through bloodlines. Yet, the principles of communism—living in a community, sharing resources, and rejecting hierarchies—are as relevant as ever. The funny thing? These principles are quietly thriving in small pockets of society, rebranded as “communal living” or “co-ops.” Strip away the stigma, and you’ll see that communism is, at its core, a socialist dream for the layman—a dream that capitalism works tirelessly to suppress.

The Propaganda Machine

Capitalism has turned propaganda into an art form. From Hollywood films to history textbooks, communism is portrayed as oppressive and dystopian, while capitalism is sold as synonymous with freedom and opportunity. During the Cold War, the West invested heavily in creating this narrative, linking communism to regimes like Stalin’s USSR or Mao’s China. But let’s be clear: these were authoritarian states using communism as a banner, not true representations of Marx’s vision.

True communism is about a stateless, classless society where everyone works together for the collective good. It’s about eliminating the exploitation of workers and ensuring resources are distributed according to need. Sound terrifying? Or does it sound like basic fairness?

The irony is glaring when you realise that most major religions—Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism—teach similar principles. They call for charity, community, and the rejection of greed. Islam’s Zakat, Christianity’s Acts of the Apostles, and Sikhism’s Langar all embody the very essence of communism: collective responsibility and equality before God. Yet, thanks to decades of propaganda, these values are dismissed as utopian or even dangerous when framed as “communism.”

Capitalism’s Modern Slavery

If you want to see what real oppression looks like, you don’t have to look far. Capitalism’s wage-slavery system is so ingrained that we’ve come to accept it as normal. People are trapped in jobs that barely pay the bills while the billionaire class hoards wealth beyond comprehension. The gig economy, hailed as a revolution in work, is just a shiny new way to exploit labour without offering security or benefits.

Debt is another chain in this modern slavery. From student loans to mortgages, we’re conditioned to believe that indebtedness is part of life. But think about it: money itself is debt. It’s a promise to pay, backed by nothing tangible. You work your entire life to pay off loans while the rich use that same debt to grow their wealth. It’s a rigged game, and the house always wins.

And what happens when you question this system? Capitalism has a handy scapegoat: communism. By painting it as the enemy, capitalism ensures we don’t dare dream of alternatives.

The Truth About Communal Living

Here’s where it gets interesting. The UK and the US, bastions of capitalism, are home to small communities that unknowingly practise the ideals of communism. Whether it’s eco-villages, co-operative housing, or shared farming projects, these groups live communally, work together, and share resources. They cook, clean, and farm collectively, rejecting the individualism that capitalism pushes so hard.

The catch? They don’t call it communism. They call it “intentional living” or “alternative lifestyles.” Why? Because the word “communism” has been so deeply stigmatised that even those practising its principles are afraid to use the term. But let’s call it what it is: they’re communists. And they’re thriving.

A Hijacked Dream

The layman, the everyday worker, has the most to gain from socialism and communism. These systems were designed to empower the majority, to ensure that no one lives in poverty while others hoard obscene wealth. But the elites—whether they’re capitalist tycoons, monarchs, or authoritarian rulers like Sheikh Hasina—thrive on exploitation. They’ve hijacked the narrative, convincing us that capitalism is freedom and communism is oppression.

Propaganda is a powerful weapon. It doesn’t just change minds—it builds entire systems of belief. And the end goal is clear: keep the layman in their place, working harder for less while the rich grow richer.

Reclaiming the Narrative

It’s time to challenge the stigma and reclaim the true meaning of communism. This isn’t about authoritarianism or state control—it’s about community, fairness, and dignity. It’s about rejecting the greed and exploitation that capitalism normalises.

So next time you hear the word “communism,” don’t think of gulags or dictators. Think of shared meals, collective responsibility, and equality. Think of religions that call for charity and fairness. Think of the layman who dreams of a better world.

Because the truth is, communism isn’t the enemy. The enemy is the system that’s convinced you it is.