We have the largest economy in the world today, and it all started with that revolution. Name all the other revolutions since then that have worked out well for that country? French? Nope, allowed Napolean to seize power. Russian? Nope, caused economic misery they are still recovering from as well as all the surrounding countries economically devastated too. Cuba? Likewise. Chinese? They didn't start improving until they allowed capitalism to flourish. All the Leftist flare-ups in Latin America? Not one has resulted in an improved, stable economy. Chile greatly improved after a military coup that installed capitalism. Costa Rica had a great leader who studied at Harvard, applied principles learned there to make them for decades the only truly prosperous nation in Central America. Feel free to show me where communism/socialism has greatly improved the lives of the citizenry after a violent overthrow of any sort.
Prosecutors: Engineer deliberately ran train off tracks in attempt to smash the USNS Mercy
- Thread starter Babagounj
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Change only comes under communism if the Party agrees something needs to change. And you’re lucky if they don’t jail or kill you for bringing it up.
And how do you see the Maoist revolution? Was China at any point a socialist state?
The “Maoist revolution” was a complex affair. There was a strong popular element in early Chinese Marxism, discussed in illuminating work by Maurice Meisner. William Hinton’s remarkable study Fanshen captures vividly a moment of profound revolutionary change, not just in social practices, but in the mentality and consciousness of the peasants, with party cadres often submitting to popular control, according to his account. Later the totalitarian system was responsible for horrendous crimes, notably the “Great Leap Forward” with its huge death toll, in the tens of millions. Despite these crimes, as economists Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze demonstrate, from independence until 1979, when the Deng reforms began, Chinese programs of rural health and development saved the lives of 100 million people in comparison to India in the same years. What any of this has to do with socialism depends on how one interprets that battered term.
Cuba under Castro?
In assessing developments in Cuba since it achieved independence under Castro in January 1959, one cannot overlook the fact that from almost the first moment Cuba was subjected to vicious attack by the global superpower. By late 1959, planes based in Florida were bombing Cuba. By March, a secret decision was made to overthrow the government. The incoming Kennedy administration carried out the Bay of Pigs invasion. Its failure led to near hysteria in Washington, and Kennedy launched a war to bring “the terrors of the earth” to Cuba, in the words of his close associate, historian Arthur Schlesinger, in his semi-official biography of Robert Kennedy, who was placed in charge of the operation as his highest priority. It was no small affair, and was one of the factors that led to the missile crisis, which Schlesinger rightly described as the most dangerous moment in history. After the crisis, the terrorist war resumed. Meanwhile, a crushing embargo was imposed, which took a huge toll on Cuba. It continues to this day, opposed by virtually the entire world.
When Russian aid ended, Clinton made the embargo harsher, and a few years later, [the] Helms-Burton [Act] made it harsher still. The effects have of course been very severe. They are reviewed in a comprehensive study by Salim Lamrani. Particularly onerous has been the impact on the health system, deprived of essential medical supplies. Despite the attack, Cuba has developed a remarkable health system, and has an unmatched record of medical internationalism — as well as playing a crucial role in the liberation of Black Africa and ending the apartheid regime [in South Africa]. There have also been severe human rights violations, though nothing like what has been standard in the US-dominated countries of the region or the US-backed national security states of South America. And, of course, the worst human rights violations in Cuba in recent years have been in Guantanamo, which the US took from Cuba at gunpoint in the early 20th century and refuses to return. Overall, a mixed story, and not easy to evaluate given the complex circumstances.
Noam Chomsky on Anarchism, Communism and Revolutions
supporting pinochet was no good im sure. maybe ill check it out and respond
silverbullet2893
KILL KILL!!
STFU
JUST SHUT UP. YOU KNOW NOTHING
this stay at home is a worldwide time out. we've all been very bad consumers.
Poop Head
Judge me.
Im really good at it! Just financed another boat!
when?