I know I’m replying super late but just remembered this thread.
I’d point to life expectancy metrics: Russia pre WWI/revolution was 33 (number from 1915) by 1965 it was 68 China pre revolution was 40 (number from 1950) by 1990 it was 69
Some of the biggest accomplishments of the 20th century IMO.
Re: China, especially now, it’s definitely not communism or socialism by any strict definition (more like state capitalism). Socialism requires the abolition of privately owned productive property (raw materials, real estate, machinery, infrastructure). The point being that instead of getting “one dollar one vote” shaping the economy, you get “one person one vote” shaping the economy. The socialist vision is about continuously reshaping institutions to reinforce democracy, using that democracy to prune out projects people don’t want, then reaping the benefits of an economy more aligned with human will. The revolution can’t stop, it’s a continuous process of challenge that must be actively pursued, humanity in dialogue with itself.
In any case, whatever China is doing is working better than the American model. They win on many objective metrics (lifespan, infrastructure, homelessness, violent crime, prison population, killing people/exploiting other countries, etc.) There are some scary policies, but I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to live in a country where things are actually getting better around you.
I know I’m replying super late but just remembered this thread.
I’d point to life expectancy metrics:
Russia pre WWI/revolution was 33 (number from 1915)
by 1965 it was 68
China pre revolution was 40 (number from 1950)
by 1990 it was 69
Some of the biggest accomplishments of the 20th century IMO.
Re: China, especially now, it’s definitely not communism or socialism by any strict definition (more like state capitalism). Socialism requires the abolition of privately owned productive property (raw materials, real estate, machinery, infrastructure). The point being that instead of getting “one dollar one vote” shaping the economy, you get “one person one vote” shaping the economy. The socialist vision is about continuously reshaping institutions to reinforce democracy, using that democracy to prune out projects people don’t want, then reaping the benefits of an economy more aligned with human will. The revolution can’t stop, it’s a continuous process of challenge that must be actively pursued, humanity in dialogue with itself.
In any case, whatever China is doing is working better than the American model. They win on many objective metrics (lifespan, infrastructure, homelessness, violent crime, prison population, killing people/exploiting other countries, etc.) There are some scary policies, but I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to live in a country where things are actually getting better around you.