Commune vs. Community — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 29, 2024
A commune emphasizes shared living or political interests, whereas a community refers to a group sharing common interests or locality.
Difference Between Commune and Community
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Communes are often formed around the idea of shared resources and collective living, focusing on egalitarian principles. Whereas communities can be based on shared interests, cultures, or geographical areas without necessarily sharing resources or living spaces.
Communes usually have a specific purpose or ideology driving their formation, such as sustainability, political ideals, or religious practices. On the other hand, communities might form naturally due to the geographical proximity of its members or shared cultural, professional, or personal interests.
Membership in a commune often requires a commitment to the commune's values and sometimes an active participation in communal living or decision-making. In contrast, being part of a community can be as simple as living in the same area or having a common interest, without the need for a formal commitment.
Communes typically operate on principles that defy traditional economic or social structures, aiming for a more equitable distribution of resources among members. Communities, however, do not necessarily reject these structures and can exist within traditional societal frameworks.
While communes are often closely knit and require a degree of uniformity in belief or practice among members, communities are generally more inclusive, accommodating a wider range of beliefs, values, and practices.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A group living together sharing possessions and responsibilities.
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Basis of Formation
Ideological or practical shared living principles.
Shared interests, locality, or culture.
Membership
Requires commitment to communal principles.
Can be informal or based on residence.
Economic Structure
Often aims for an equitable distribution of resources.
May not alter traditional economic structures.
Social Structure
May have specific governance or participatory requirements.
Generally more flexible and encompassing.
Compare with Definitions
Commune
A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities.
The artists' commune pooled resources to afford a larger studio space.
Community
Often informal, based on residence or participation in community activities.
She felt a sense of belonging after volunteering at the community kitchen.
Commune
Typically operates on a shared economic model, pooling resources and labor.
Everyone in the commune contributes to the community garden and shares the harvest.
Community
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
The local community center offers programs for residents of all ages.
Commune
Often established with the aim of living according to specific ideological principles.
The eco-commune was founded on principles of sustainability and minimal environmental impact.
Community
May support various economic activities but does not require a shared economic model.
The community market is a great place for local artisans to sell their crafts.
Commune
Joining usually requires a commitment to the commune's ideals and practices.
Members of the commune agree to share their earnings and participate in communal decision-making.
Community
Can form naturally around geographical locations, shared interests, or cultural ties.
The online gaming community has members from around the world.
Commune
Characterized by shared living spaces and collective decision-making.
In our commune, we have communal meals twice a day and decide together on household matters.
Community
Does not necessarily involve shared living spaces or collective governance.
The community garden is a voluntary project for those interested in gardening.
Commune
A commune is an intentional community of people sharing living spaces, interests, values, beliefs, and often property, possessions, and resources in common. In some communes, the people also share common work, income, or assets.In addition to the communal economy, consensus decision-making, non-hierarchical structures and ecological living have become important core principles for many communes.
Community
A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g.
Commune
A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities
She went to California and joined a commune
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
Commune
The smallest French territorial division for administrative purposes
Very few of the abbey's vineyards were actually located within the commune of Hautvillers
Community
The district or locality in which such a group lives.
Commune
The group that seized the municipal government of Paris in the French Revolution and played a leading part in the Reign of Terror until suppressed in 1794.
Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
Commune
Share one's intimate thoughts or feelings with (someone), especially on a spiritual level
The purpose of praying is to commune with God
Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
Commune
Receive Holy Communion.
Community
Similarity or identity
A community of interests.
Commune
To be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity, as with one's surroundings
Hikers communing with nature.
Community
Sharing, participation, and fellowship
A sense of community.
Commune
To receive the Eucharist.
Community
Society as a whole; the public.
Commune
A relatively small, often rural community whose members share common interests, work, and income and often own property collectively.
Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
Commune
The people in such a community.
Community
The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.
Commune
The smallest local political division of various European countries, governed by a mayor and municipal council.
Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
Commune
A local community organized with a government for promoting local interests.
Community
(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.
Commune
A municipal corporation in the Middle Ages.
Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
Commune
The revolutionary group that controlled the government of Paris from 1789 to 1794.
Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
Commune
The insurrectionary, socialist government that controlled Paris from March 18 to May 28, 1871.
Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Commune
A small community, often rural, whose members share in the ownership of property, and in the division of labour; the members of such a community.
Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
Commune
A local political division in many European countries.
Community
Common character; likeness.
Commune
(obsolete) The commonalty; the common people.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Commune
Communion; sympathetic conversation between friends.
Community
A local area within a county or county borough which is the lowest tier of local government, usually represented by a community council or town council, which is generally equivalent to a civil parish in England.
Commune
(historical) A self-governing city or league of citizens.
Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
Commune
To converse together with sympathy and confidence; to interchange sentiments or feelings; to take counsel.
Community
A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations; as, a community of monks. Hence a number of animals living in a common home or with some apparent association of interests.
Creatures that in communities exist.
Commune
To communicate (with) spiritually; to be together (with); to contemplate or absorb.
He spent a week in the backcountry, communing with nature.
Community
Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.
Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community.
Commune
To receive the communion.
Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
Commune
To converse together with sympathy and confidence; to interchange sentiments or feelings; to take counsel.
I would commune with you of such thingsThat want no ear but yours.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
Commune
To receive the communion; to partake of the eucharist or Lord's supper.
To commune under both kinds.
Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
Commune
The commonalty; the common people.
In this struggle - to use the technical words of the time - of the "commune", the general mass of the inhabitants, against the "prudhommes" or "wiser" few.
Community
A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;
The Christian community of the apostolic age
He was well known throughout the Catholic community
Commune
A small territorial district in France under the government of a mayor and municipal council; also, the inhabitants, or the government, of such a district. See Arrondissement.
Community
Common ownership;
They shared a community of possessions
Commune
Absolute municipal self-government.
Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
Commune
A group of people living together as an organized community and owning in common most or all of their property and possessions, and sharing work, income, and many other aspects of daily life. Such sommunities are oftten organized based on religious or idealistic principles, and they sometimes have unconventional lifestyles, practises, or moral codes.
Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Commune
The smallest administrative district of several European countries
Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
Commune
A body of people or families living together and sharing everything
Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
Commune
Communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity;
He seemed to commune with nature
Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
Commune
Receive Communion, in the Catholic church
Common Curiosities
What defines a community?
A community is defined by a group of people with a common locality or shared interests, characteristics, or culture.
Can a commune be part of a community?
Yes, a commune can be part of a larger community, sharing broader interests or locality with others.
How does membership in a commune differ from that in a community?
Membership in a commune requires a commitment to shared living principles, whereas community membership can be more informal.
How do communities form?
Communities can form naturally around geographical areas, shared interests, or cultural ties.
What is the primary goal of a commune?
The primary goal is often to live according to specific shared principles, such as sustainability or equality.
What is a commune?
A commune is a group of people living together, sharing possessions and responsibilities based on common ideals.
Do communes contribute to the local economy?
Yes, communes can contribute through shared businesses, local trade, or community projects.
How do communes handle conflicts?
Conflicts in communes are often resolved through collective decision-making or mediation, aligning with their communal principles.
What is the significance of community centers?
Community centers serve as hubs for activities, fostering social bonds and providing resources to residents.
Are communes and communities exclusive to residential settings?
No, both can extend beyond residential settings to include shared interests, practices, or virtual spaces.
Are communities always geographically based?
No, communities can also be based on shared interests or activities, not just geography.
Do communes have leaders?
Some communes operate democratically without leaders, while others may have designated leaders or organizers.
Can anyone join a commune?
Joining a commune typically requires an agreement with its principles and practices, making it not open to everyone.
Can a community have a shared economic system?
While not common, some communities may adopt shared economic practices or support cooperative businesses.
Can a person belong to multiple communities?
Yes, individuals can belong to multiple communities based on different interests or aspects of their identity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
