• Considers the theory of communism from Marx's time to its practice in the Bolshevik Revolution, and its collapse in 1989-91
• Highlights the inner dynamics, crises and demise of communism as a global system
• Introduces the major players in communist theory including Marx, Lenin, Stalin and Mao
• Analyses some of the common misperceptions of communism and reveals the truth behind true communist thought

The collapse of communism was one of the most defining moments of the twentieth century. At its peak, more than a third of the world's population had lived under communist power. What is communism? Where did the idea come from and what attracted people to it? What is the future for communism?This Very Short Introduction considers these questions and more in the search to explore and understand communism. Explaining the theory behind its ideology, and examining the history and mindset behind its political, economic and social structures, Leslie Holmes examines the highs and lows of communist power and its future in today's world.