The purge is another characteristic of Communist regime. It promotes specific policies and, at the same time, it removes those who oppose them. It may eliminate the power of those against whom it is aimed. The purge, accordingly acts against those considered a danger to the elite either because they hold different social objectives (as was true of sizable groups in the early days of Communist regimes) or because they endorse different techniques for moving toward the common goal or because they threaten to establish predominant influence (as it has happened in China.)