Socialists/communists compete like everyone else, only, in a different wayCaitlin Johnstone is known to be a bit on the left, and influenced heavily by socialist thought.
On the one hand, the cooperative model has it's place, OTH, competition is natural. We see it throughout the natural world. To claim that nature is dysfuntional is pretty short sighted. I have a feeling she is an atheist who believes that humans can rise above their nature and solve all of their problems.
A balance must be struck. Going to either extreme generally leads to dysfunction.
To claim that competition is, "not conducive to the thriving of our species or our planet," does not take a realistic view of history or biology. Certainly, the predictions of Malthus would have come to pass long ago without competition.
They compete winning and rigging elections, competing to file roles of power, and competing to be the pets of the elite, etc.
It is our nature.