In practice, there is little distinction between the two systems, which both rely on the elimination of private property and the collective ownership of goods. But in theory, there are distinctions between the two. According to Marxism, socialism is a transition state between capitalism and communism: In socialism, the state (or government) still exists, and is in control of property and the programs for collectivization. Marxist theory holds that communism is the final stage of society—after the state has dissolved. In a Communist society economic goods and property are distributed equally among the people.