Yes you can. You could organize certain aspects/fields of the economy differently, injecting communist ideas into otherwise capitalist countries. So a country where everything is subject to a "free", capitalist market could be calles less communist than a country, where for example the development and maintenance of public infrastructure is organized and funded by a government, be it democratic or authoritarian.

The stance that there is only pure capitalism or pure communism is propaganda used by both sides in order to prevent reforms.

[–] masquenox@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

injecting communist ideas into otherwise capitalist countries.

No, you can't. What you are describing is merely using faux-leftist ideas to protect capitalism from itself by throwing more scraps at the working class - that is all.

propaganda used by both sides in order to prevent reforms.

"Reform" is how capitalists protect their power and privilege from working-class revolt. "Reform" is always used to protect the status quo from desperately needed radical change. "Reform" almost never infringes upon the power and privilege of capitalist elites. "Reform" is a vital tool in the wealthy's arsenal when it comes to class warfare.

"Reform" is not change - it is used to prevent change.