[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

For sure, libs get scratched easily these days.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 days ago

I appreciate you taking the time to read my write-up. I want to ask, why do you claim the PRC isn't Socialist? 50% of the economy is in the public sector, a tenth in the cooperative sector, and the Private Sector is run with strict central planning and oversight from the government. Socialism doesn't refer simply to a fully publicly owned economy - it's a transitional economy towards Communism. In the PRC, the Public Sector further controls key heavy industries and infrastructure that the Private Sector relies on, so the Private Sector is subservient to the demands of the Public. The presense of Markets is not enough to claim an economy isn't Socialist. From Engels himself:

Will it be possible to abolish private property at one stroke?

Answer : No, no more than the existing productive forces can at one stroke be multiplied to the extent necessary for the creation of a communal society. Hence, the proletarian revolution, which in all probability is approaching, will be able gradually to transform existing society and abolish private property only when the necessary means of production have been created in sufficient quantity.

The reason Marxists believe Socialism comes after Capitalism is because Markets have a tendency to centralize in order to combat the Tendency for the Rate of Profit to Fall, which naturally forces the development of strategies and tools for internal planning. This naturally prepares the way for Central Planning. In the PRC, Capital in the Private Sector is trapped in a birdcage model, and the CPC increases ownership as these markets do their job and centralize. This is Marxism in action. I suggest you read the articles What is Socialism? as well as Socialism Developed China, Not Capitalism.

Also, as a side note, "Stalinism" isn't a thing. Stalin was not much of a theoretician, the proper term is Marxism-Leninism, as it is founded on the writings of Marx and Lenin primarily.

Additionally, you need to analyze who was happy to see the fall of the USSR. The answer? The West. In the vast majority of the post-Soviet populace, Capitalism brought death and destruction, 7 million people died due to it, and most long for a return to Socialism. In the Global South, the fall of the USSR was seen as an immense tragedy. The only ones benefiting were the Imperialist Capitalists that swooped in and looted the USSR's former state structures and industry for profit at dirt cheap prices.

Ultimately, I think you have a lot of research to do if you want to hold a truly internationalist perspective, and not one tainted by Western bias, which is notoriously adversarial to Communism and the Global South in general, as the West relies on export of industrial and financial Capital to the Global South to super-exploit for super-profits. This is what Marxists call Imperalism.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I've seen Anarchists, Marxists, and progressive liberals all called "tankie" before, so either you aren't looking or you consider them to be "tankies." Secondly, I don't know what you mean by "supporting authoritarian governments," leftists don't support the US Empire.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

The nuances of the PRC's desire for a One China policy largely stem from the Marxist theory of Nations, along with a desire to throw off all western colonizers. Without understanding the depths of the "century of humiliation" you can't hope to understand the desire for a unified China.

Secondly, the PRC's process means social change comes slowly, but it has been improving. Notably, Xin Jing, a transgender woman, is one of China's top celebrities. Change is slow, but is happening at different rates across different sections of the PRC. Social change comes from improvements in productive forces and focusing on people as a priority.

Thirdly, nobody is saying the PRC is Anarchist, but your insistence that everyone agree with you saying the government is by definition a tool of oppression despite 90%+ approval rates stands at direct odds with the people themselves. Like it or not, you must face the reality that it is Marxism that has brought great improvements to China's conditions, and these improvements are continuing at a rapid pace, and thus has widespread support.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 13 points 3 days ago

Klein herself is fairly liberal, but the impact on the post-Soviet citizenry is apt. 7 million people died so that the West could profit.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 14 points 3 days ago
  1. Nobody believes Russia is a Utopia.

  2. Nobody believes the PRC is perfect, but on the right track, and especially nice in Tier 1 and 2 cities.

  3. The CPC has over 90% support, the fact that China has a government does not mean that is "evil."

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I appreciate you calling me smart and trying to have a conversation, however I want to stress something you said:

I’m saying that tankies claim to be communists but spend all day parroting their favorite Russian or Chinese state propaganda because they believe everything else is clearly controlled by Obamna™ himself. They rarely actually talk about communism, they just roam Lemmy all day calling everybody who disagrees with them a liberal :D

What you are seeing is one aspect of people, and moreover the ones with "favorite state propaganda" that distrust all western sources as liberal propaganda don't exist. Even just seeing people debating endlessly on Lemmy.ml is just one aspect, people frequently have different accounts or discuss Communism on different threads than the ones they get into debates in.

Additionally, I encourage you to look beyond the western veil. There are plenty of Russia-critical sources and China-critical sources in the east.

With respect to China, I encourage you to look into processes like Whole Process People's Democracy, State Owned Enterprises, and other aspects to see how Socialism with Chinese Characteristics works. I encourage you to read the article I linked, as well. Additionally, while I know you said you are an Anarchist, your point on centralization being a bad thing goes directly against Marxist understanding. I recommend the article Why Public Property?

Capitalism concentrates itself and centralizes, which prepares the productive forces for the mechanisms required to centerally plan them after folding them into the Public Sector. Central Planning is the only way to truly democratize production in the eyes of Marxists.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 15 points 3 days ago

Sure, there is some element to that, but the mover and pusher is a removal of threats, not out of any anti-fascist dedication, hence why like you said Putin is fine with "Greater Russia" Nazis.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 19 points 3 days ago

Why do you say that? First of all, the CPC is the party in charge of the PRC, not the PRC itself. Secondly, which of the things I said do you disagree with? We can discuss them if you want, but otherwise I can't really take you seriously either if that is your response to me answering your question honestly.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 19 points 3 days ago

Generally yes, I support the CPC. I'm a Marxist, and their dedication to developing Socialism, eliminating poverty, developing green energy, and presenting an alternative for the Global South should be admired. The PRC and CPC aren't perfect, not by any stretch, but among the major world powers they are the least problematic and present the greatest potential for Humanity moving forward.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 days ago

So, nobody? You really don't see anyone being called a tankie? Interesting.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 16 points 3 days ago

The word "tankie" isn't solely applied to people who critically support Russia in its temporary anti-US Hegemony stance. Again, the lack of unity behind the usage of the term means some may use it in a more reserved and restricted manner, but in reality it is used by liberals of all stripes against leftists of all stripes.

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Cowbee

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