Yes, the tankie types will criticize me for not understanding what “socialism with Chinese characteristics” means. Apparently it’s socialism where the workers do not control the means of production.
The traditional Marxist argument would be that Marx thought liberalism/capitalism could be a required step towards communism, even if he had some hope of Russia skipping the stage for cultural reasons.
They then claim that China is merely in that step towards socialism, and point to things like the re-education of certain billionaires as proof that the people/party are still in control.
Personally I think that’s a bunch of nonsense and they’re a fascist state that, admittedly, will probably be less racist and expansionist than the incoming American Empire.
The types who bleat about “actually existing socialism” do.
Cuba has the best argument, IMO. The people they killed/tossed out mostly had it coming. Most of the problems can be directly attributed to US sanctions, and those sanctions only serve the interests the people who got thrown out (or their decedents, at this point). Both the US and Cuba are harmed more than they’re helped by those sanctions.
If I wanted an example of Marxist-Leninism working, Cuba would be it, even with obvious issues. The rest are only successful if you have a shitty definition of success.
China has a stock market and investment banks
Were you under the impression anyone thinks China is communist?
Yes, the tankie types will criticize me for not understanding what “socialism with Chinese characteristics” means. Apparently it’s socialism where the workers do not control the means of production.
Right-wingers, whether fash or red fash (tankies), agree that China is commie because they have no idea what communism is.
The traditional Marxist argument would be that Marx thought liberalism/capitalism could be a required step towards communism, even if he had some hope of Russia skipping the stage for cultural reasons.
They then claim that China is merely in that step towards socialism, and point to things like the re-education of certain billionaires as proof that the people/party are still in control.
Personally I think that’s a bunch of nonsense and they’re a fascist state that, admittedly, will probably be less racist and expansionist than the incoming American Empire.
Do people really use tankies for anything other than entertainment?
The types who bleat about “actually existing socialism” do.
Cuba has the best argument, IMO. The people they killed/tossed out mostly had it coming. Most of the problems can be directly attributed to US sanctions, and those sanctions only serve the interests the people who got thrown out (or their decedents, at this point). Both the US and Cuba are harmed more than they’re helped by those sanctions.
If I wanted an example of Marxist-Leninism working, Cuba would be it, even with obvious issues. The rest are only successful if you have a shitty definition of success.