Communist governments aim at distributing goods and services according to _____________.

Analyze the question: It asks about the principle a communist government uses to distribute goods and services.

Explain the concept: Communism, based on the ideas of Karl Marx, aims at a classless, stateless society in which the means of production are owned collectively. Its famous principle is:

> "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

In the early socialist stage, distribution is according to work done. In the higher, fully communist stage, goods are distributed according to need, while people contribute according to their ability.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. Gender and class: Communism seeks to abolish class distinctions, so this is wrong.
• B. Loyalty to the party: This describes a corrupted practice in some one-party states, not the stated aim of communist theory.
• C. Need and ability: This matches Marx's principle directly.
• D. Work and residence: Residence plays no part in communist distribution theory.

The correct option is C. need and ability.

Exam tip: Remember the phrase "ability in, need out." People put in according to their ability and take out according to their need. Contrast this with capitalism, where distribution depends on the market and purchasing power, and with socialism, where it depends on work done.