Communism Anyone ?

[Khandro]

Anybody espousing, thinking of becoming, or continuing, with Communism - or indeed anyone under the age of 50, should I suggest, have a look at this;

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/tales-from-the-gulag-why-im-helping-survivors-tell-their-stories

[naomi24]

Dave, No one has suggested rushing in and saying they must change. This question is to those who think Communism works. It doesn't. If it did, the countries that are no longer communist wouldn't have abandoned it.

[davebro]

I suppose it all depends what we mean by communism - as mentioned above some (or maybe all) "communist" countries do not follow truly communist principles at all but are simply totalitarian.
It's no use us saying "ain't it awful" and tut-tutting about if we aren't prepared to act to change it - and we won't because we can't.

[Peter Pedant]

well I will look at it....
the standard answer for those with long memories ( those on Ab, longer than a week, that is!)

is THAT isnt the type of communism they were thinking of.

and as for contemporary events
after the failure of the gas companies, someone said, who can deny that argument for nationalisation of the gas grid is unanswerable....
Capitalism doesnt always work

[naomi24]

Dave, As I said, the question isn't about trying to change communist countries. It's addressed to people here who think communism is a good idea. Would you want it here?

[Peter Pedant]

I am rushing in and saying things must change when it comes to gas. - if it doesnt work - - - change it
an obvious lesson even for those on AB !

the time for change is when it becomes irresistible
wellington I think
BUT if you run your losses, then Gallipoli, Gold standard, police bombing of natives, end of empire all become inevitable (*)

(*) some of Churchill's lesser known successes

have a good day boys and girls

[ichkeria]

“ dannyk13 ich //For many people in both countries life improved under Communism//
Really, scroll down to Cultural Life.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Cuba/Cultural-life”

Of course it did. That is usually what happens with communism.
It’s usually why there’s a revolution in the first place.
But other issues usually spoil it. I won’t insult your intelligence by going over it all.

[Khandro]

What is interesting about Xi is, ... well, err, he isn't interesting .. but he thinks he is:

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-xi-jinping-thought-is-taking-over-chinas-classrooms

[sevenOP]

"and as for China ...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58579831"; --> "For decades life in China had evolved around its home-grown version of let-it-rip capitalism."

Was that the same "let-it-rip capitalism" that had such a low covid-19 death rate compared to those bastions of laissez-faire capitalism, 'The West' ?

" Pure communism was abolished a long time ago "

One believes the BBC propaganda when it suits them and the Russophobe might as well be uttering that oft parroted idiocy "and absolute power corrupts absolutely".... there has never been such a country that has practiced "pure communism" just as no-one could ever have the fantasy "absolute power. ( please give us a definition of "pure communism" ichi )

And Khandro, since the Nazi regime and the Shōwa/Tojo regime both only flourished because of and under Capitalism (and look at the nastiness they provoked), should no-one "espouse" Capitalism ?
(nice balanced Link Khandro from "James Bartholomew is the director of the Museum of Communist Terror " )

"Dave. How you think Cuba 'works' is a mystery to me .... and as for China ... " well the first was a money laundering,mafia infested drug infested,brothel under American colonial Capitalism and the other one succeeded in raising over 700 million from extreme poverty.

davebro : "I suppose it all depends what we mean by communism"

If you are waiting for an explanation/definition of 'Communism' from any Commophobes on here dave, dream on. It is, to them, what they want it to be. ( a bit like 'Faith'... but only 'Faith' in their point of view)