Here is the text of the Mayflower Compact (modern version):
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620.
Jack: Thanks for the response. As I said to Sherman, there seems to be nothing in the Compact that specifically dictates a communal style of government. It may be implied in the part of the Compact that states...”do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid.”
As he stated, the colonists were employees of the London Virginia Company, not independent colonists.
The communal style of government appears to be the company’s policy and the phrase, “covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic” seems to lend itself to that style of governance.
Anyway, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Fortunately the colonists changed from a commune to a private ownership style that served them well from then on.