First of all, I am sure it is not the aim of communism that “we all become equally poor” but simply equal. Whether that equality is always achieved is another matter, but surely social justice is a laudable aim, and if it were allied with individual freedom I think few in the West could quarrel with it. It would seem that Mr Gorbachev has set in motion precisely such a move towards greater individual freedom.

To my mind, the need for sharing is self-evident: there are so many people in the world, around six billion, with varied requirements depending on the size of their nation and self-sufficiency. These nations grow or produce so much food, raw materials, energy, technology, often far greater than their individual needs, and seek to sell their surplus (there is an estimated ten per cent surplus of food in the world).

Many of the poorer (usually ex-colonial) nations are far from being self-supporting and often cannot produce even enough food for their people who, as a consequence, become the starving millions of the world.

Is it not simple common sense ― not to mention simple Christian (or Buddhist or Jewish) compassion ― for the rich nations to share surpluses with the poor nations and so prevent the misery ― and the crime ― of starvation in the midst of plenty?

The Christ says, in Message no. 82: “When you share, you recognize God in your brother.” and in Message no. 52: “Take your brother’s need as the measure for your action, and solve the problems of the world. There is no other course.” He should know.

True happiness lies not in democracy or communism, but in an awareness that is free of any ideology.