Why do some readers connect Thomas More’s Utopia to later communist ideas?

Readers connect Thomas More’s Utopia to later communist ideas primarily because the book describes an imaginary society built on the abolition of private property and money. In More’s vision, citizens work according to their abilities, consume according to their needs from common storehouses, and share meals and housing.123

This structure is often interpreted as a precursor to modern communist theory because it presents communal ownership as a remedy for human vices such as pride, envy, and greed. By eliminating the distinction between "mine" and "thine," the society aims to ensure that no one suffers from poverty or want.241

While More’s work is sometimes viewed as a serious proposal for social reform, it is also interpreted as a satirical critique of the political and economic inequalities of 16th-century Europe. Because the narrative is presented through a fictional traveler, the text leaves readers to discern which elements were intended as genuine social commentary and which were intended as intellectual play.124