The implications of an economy based on Marx's principle ("from each according to his ability, to each according to his need") were already explored in pp. 5.2:75-7 and hence will only be reviewed briefly here. First, in order to maximize their allotments of consumers' goods (and hence utility), individuals in such a system must appear as "needy" as possible. As each citizen inflates his or her ostensible consumer needs, the total consumption of consumers' goods skyrockets. Simultaneously, in order to minimize the disutility of labor, each individual appears as "helpless" as possible, thus avoiding the assignment of onerous tasks. Total production of both consumers' goods and capital goods therefore plummets; scarcities of consumers' goods become especially severe as the capital structure becomes depleted. With regard to both "need" and "ability," it should be noted that appearances are favored over realities, so that hypocrisy is handsomely rewarded.

Because of both the augmented consumption levels and diminished production, consumers' goods are no longer present in sufficient supply to be allocated to the apparent needs of consumers. The extreme shortages of consumers' goods are typically manifested in long lines in marketplaces or long waiting lists for some goods. To view these trends on the graph at the bottom of this page, scroll down as needed.