The opening of the Soviet Archives backs up these claims. If your pre-concieved notions about Communism are negative, I really recommend giving Blackshirts and Reds a read if you've got the time and willingness.
Why would it be suspicious? Different members of the USSR had different national conditions, some were quite nationalist and opposed being a part of the USSR, some were more internationalist and wished to retain the Soviet system. In the following years, there have been many studies verifying that of those who lived through Socialism, the majority wish it had remained over the devastation Capitalism brought to the majority of people.
That's all this post was about, though, a comparison showing that per capita (and totally), incarceration rates in the PRC is far lower than in the US Empire. The purpose is to highlight the hypocricy of those who hold the PRC as more repressive than the US Empire, when the opposite is abundantly clear to anyone looking at hard metrics such as incarceration rates.
You decided to make a pivot in a completely different direction and just complain about Marxists, which just screams that you want attention more than anything. I suppose I'm providing that for you if that's what you want, but really it's just good practice to call out the incoherence of anti-communists.
Which part of comparing incarceration rates do you take issue with? Why is acknowledging the difference "mindless?"
You complained about Marxists, calling them "tankies," same as "commie" or "pinko." Further, I don't agree that China is bad, as we can see it has a much lower prison population both in total and by ratio when compared to the US Empire.
I'm personally not planning on living in China, but I wouldn't be opposed at all. Moving is expensive, learning a new language is difficult, and I'd be leaving my extended family and friends behind, but on the plus side I'd get to live in a much better country that is consistently and constantly improving, rather than a dying Empire crumbling under its own contradictions.
Why do you hate Marxism so much?
In what way is the PRC "occupied China?" The people overthrew the nationalist KMT dictatorship, who then fled to Taiwan and murdered all of their opposition among the people that were living there at the time.
No, Prolewiki did not lie about the USSR, nor about Imperialism. You are trying to invent a new definition of Imperialism in order to make your original claims correct now that they have been proven wrong. Further, the Polish People's Republic saw great success from inclusion into the Soviet system. It was fraught with problems like nationalism conflicting with the overall internationalist Socialist economy, but despite that it saw dramatic improvements economically, as well as in metrics like life expectancy and literacy rates.
I am not sure what you mean by "stolen." It doesn't seem to me that a factory can be picked up and moved across state lines, nor does it elaborate on what happened with these and why. As the Poland People's Republic was a part of a far more planned economy, it's important to look at why these movements took place, and if we look at the linked article, Socialist Poland saw rapid economic development as being a part of the system.
Gomułka was at one point arrested for right-deviationist nationalism, which helps cement that this isn't an unbiased report by any stretch. To my understanding, Poland's history with nationalism made the PPR disjointed, as well as the fact that it didn't truly have its own revolution, but was more folded into the Socialist system, and as such the right-wing nationalists fought against the Socialist system.
I recommend speaking to Polish communists about this, if you're just going to denounce everything I say as lies.
Supporting Palestinian liberation is not anti-semitism. Zionism is anti-semitic, it depends on genocide of Palestinian Jews and is anti-Yiddish.
What's your point, here? Marxists are bad because China has a higher population, meaning per capita comparisons are more accurate when directly comparing with the US?
Per capita isn't misleading, it's more relevant than totals.
Per Capita shows that China has a lower total prison population than a country much smaller than it in population. Both per capita and total counts are lower in the PRC despute having several times the population.
Check out my "Read Theory, Darn it!" introductory reading list!
"Without Revolutionary theory, there can be no Revolutionary Movement."
— Vladimir Lenin^[What is to be Done? | Audiobook]
It's time to read theory, comrades! As Lenin says, "Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle." Marxism-Leninism is broken into 3 major components, as noted by Lenin in his pamphlet The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism: | Audiobook
Dialectical and Historical Materialism
Critique of Capitalism along the lines of Marx's Law of Value
Advocacy for Revolutionary and Scientific Socialism, as well as the theory of Class Struggle.
As such, I created the following list to take you from no knowledge whatsoever of Leftist theory, and leave you with a strong understanding of the critical fundamentals of Marxism-Leninism in an order that builds up as you read. Let's get started!
Section I: Getting Started
What the heck is Communism, anyways? For that matter, what is fascism?
The FAQ of Communism, written by the Luigi of the Marx & Engels duo. Quick to read, and easy to reference, this is the perfect start to your journey.
Parenti's characteristic wit is on full display in this historical contextualization and analysis of fascism and Communism. Line after line, Parenti debunks anti-Communist myths. This is also an excellent time to watch the famous "Yellow Parenti" speech.
Section II: Historical and Dialectical Materialism
Ugh, philosophy? Really? YES!
By understanding Dialectical and Historical Materialism first, you make it easier to understand the rest of Marxism-Leninism. Don't be intimidated!
Engels introduces Scientific Socialism, explaining how Capitalism itself prepares the conditions for public ownership and planning by centralizing itself into monopolist syndicates and cartels.
Section III: Political Economy
That's right, it's time for the Law of Value and a deep-dive into Imperialism. If we are to defeat Capitalism, we must learn it's mechanisms, tendencies, contradictions, and laws.
Best taken as a pair, these essays simplify the most important parts of the Law of Value.
The era of Imperialism, which as the primary contradiction cascades downward into all manner of related secondary contradictions.
Section IV: Revolutionary and Scientific Socialism
Can we defeat Capitalism at the ballot box? What about just defeating fascism? What about the role of the state?
If Marxists believed reforming Capitalist society was possible, we would be the first in line for it. Sadly, it isn't.
Further analyzes the necessity of Revolution and introduces the economic basis for the withering away of the State.
Section V: National Liberation, De-colonialism, and Solidarity
The revolution will not be fought by individuals, but by an intersectional, international working class movement. Solidarity allows different marginalized groups to work together in collective interest, unifying into a single broad movement. Marxists support the Right of Self-Determination for all peoples and support National Liberation movements against Imperialism.
Breaks down misogyny, and queerphobia, as well as how to move beyond the base subject of "gender" from a Historical Materialist perspective.
When different social groups fight for liberation together along intersectional lines, they are emboldened and empowered ever-further.
De-colonialism is essential to Marxism. Without having a strong, de-colonial, internationalist stance, we have no path to victory nor justice. These books are best taken as a pair, read in quick succession.
Section VI: Putting it into Practice!
It's not enough to endlessly read, you must put theory to practice. That is how you can improve yourself and the movements you support. Touch grass!
Mao wrote simply and directly to peasant soldiers during the Revolutionary War in China. This pair of essays equip the reader to apply the analytical tools of Dialectical Materialism to their every day practice.
Common among new leftists is dogmatism over pragmatism. Everyone wants perfection, but dogmatic "left" anti-Communists let perfection become the enemy of progress.
Common among western leftists is fetishization of Marxism, rather than using it as a tool for analysis and social change. This article helps rectify that.
Organizing is a skill. If we are to be successful, we must work to better ourselves.
Congratulations, you completed your introductory reading course!
With your new understanding and knowledge of Marxism-Leninism, here is a mini What is to be Done? of your own to follow, and take with you as practical advice.
Get organized. The Party for Socialism and Liberation, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and Red Star Caucus all organize year round, every year, because the battle for progress is a constant struggle. See if there is a chapter near you, or start one!
Read theory. Don't think that you are done now! Just because you have the basics, doesn't mean you know more than you do. If you have not investigated a subject, don't speak on it!
Aggressively combat white supremacy, misogyny, queerphobia, and other attacks on marginalized communities. Cede no ground, let nobody go forgotten.
Be industrious, and self-sufficient. Take up gardening, home repair, tinkering. It is through practice that you elevate your knowledge.
Learn self-defense. Get armed, if practical. Be ready to protect yourself and others.
Be persistent. If you feel like a single water droplet against a mountain, think of canyons and valleys. With consistency, every rock, boulder, mountain, can be drilled through with nothing but water droplets.
"Everything under heaven is in utter chaos; the situation is excellent."
— Mao Tse-Tung
I don't follow, the author being positive about the working class running society rather than privledged elites having dictatorial control a la Capitalism doesn't mean you need to dismiss the facts it brings up outright. Are you saying that, as someone biased towards Capitalism, you dismiss any criticism of Capitalism and any positive opinions on Socialism outright? If so, I can't imagine how you live your life in other areas that contradict your current understanding!
To return, I don't at all believe it's suspect that the majority of people wished to retain Socialism, and this fact is further cemented by this same general notion being repeated over and over again in polling.