Thanks for this response. This makes sense. Admittedly I'm not well versed in the characteristics of how full blown communism played out, only the theory it's based on. I should read up on it though, because it's interesting to me that private ownership would still happen. And not just private ownership, but oligarchy, from the sounds of it - which is odd because it's so antithetical to the bones of communism. But anyway, now what you said makes sense.
As you probably know theory and practice aren't always the same thing, especially since genuine leadership requires certain pragmatism. Therefore there is no such thing as Communism, there are only Communisms. Since every country did their own version of the vision, which wobbles through time. In other words it is important to keep definitions up to date. Capitalism from 1950 and Capitalism from 2020 aren't really the same thing, therefore there is no reason that the same can't be applied to Communism. Things change and receive upgrades all the time, that is simply how life on Earth works. This is exactly why the western world is falling apart, the Communist world fully introduced the consumerism and Capitalists thought that the East accepted all of the their standards. Since the Capitalist thought they are trading just with other Capitalists. Especially since in their mind they had so cartoonish picture of Communism that for them it was impossible to trade with Communism by definition. While the real difference between Communism and Capitalism is in ownership of production, therefore there is no concrete reason why you can't build consumerist society with state/oligarchic run economy. For American culture it is very hard to separate Capitalism and consumerism but those two can indeed be separated.
Foreigners that come to my country never really realize that a number of times they haven't walked into something that has private owner. Since it was built to look like a private company even if the government or foreign governments decide who will be the top managers of the company.
What also means that the government will take the profit, which can then be used for "redistribution of wealth" or better infrastructure without the need of rising taxes.
This is exactly why I find it almost funny how some people here are afraid of the government. Since even my water heater in the kitchen is made by government run company, not to mention that I got out of university with 0$ in debt thanks to the government. This is exactly why I am constantly saying here "protect your people". Since your companies are generally disadvantaged next to well run state companies. Because those have almost endless funding, at their own territory the laws protect them. Also since companies are interconnected through the government they can provide more complex mix of services than private companies that stand on their own, the government can easily effect other countries in the favor of extra profit. Also as companies are connected through the government they can through influx of state money lower the prices in certain industry and wipe out the competition from the map and then with the large profit the government can do it in some other industry.
Everyone is attacking Trump that he is isolationist or what not but no one is really considering is the "traditional" scale of American influence realistic at this point. Can your corporations hold their ground in this new reality ? Especially since your own public is fundamentally against bailouts, while global trade for a long time isn't genuine Capitalism anymore. Therefore the only way to save the model is to enforce your own borders and have "party at home". Plus to make it even worse for western culture, none of this is fundamentally contrary to the democracy. Voters can elect the government and then the government chooses and sets the managers of the companies, what creates certain fairness in power play. America is getting ideologically crushed globally but it simply doesn't want to admit to itself this. While the times have changed since they are always changing.
Therefore don't be a slave to definitions. I know that western people like definitions but definitions are excellent tool for creating blind spots in understanding what is really going on. Since strict definitions are creating radars under which it is possible to fly unchecked if you don't fit the profile.
