With the most recent debate turning into a socialist vs capitalist arguement, it got my thinking about our nearby neighbour China, and in particular how to classify it. I mean, officially yes it is a communist state. But what with all the economic expansion in recent years (not to mention the pending olympic sideshow) one is left to wonder if, at least idealogically and philosophically, if China can really be considered fully communist anymore.
Anywho, this is just some random thing that came to mind and while it would be interesting to see what people have to say on this, me personally am going to be voting for "Really Good Noodles".
So discuss and enjoy.
Last Edit: Nov 6, 2007 7:31:03 GMT -5 by New Dracora
Post by 0scar Wilde/ATT on Nov 6, 2007 12:16:25 GMT -5
I don't even think they are communist in any sense at all. Communism is supposed to be the 'capital' in the hands of the government, run directly by the people. Without cliques, or politburos, or titles, the capital in the hands of the workers(proletariat). By that definition, there has never been anything at all resembling communism on this planet(on a large scale) in modern times. Ad to that the fact that instead of using government control to further the rights of the proletariat(that is what communism is all about), the Chinese workers are forced into near slavery. You cannot get much further away from communism than that.
You might even go so far as to say that China is even MORE capitalistic than America. It does seem that their government is even more interested in protecting the rights of the wealthy capitalists, and even more interested in quashing the rights of the workers. America is much closer to being a communist state than China is.
Post by The Colonial Fleet on Nov 8, 2007 3:02:55 GMT -5
They're a right nasty powermonging dictatorship in communist clothing that smiles at capitalism, when it's in their interest to do so. They're still under party rule; are still a place where when the state decides they want to have competitive gymnists then the state dedicates an entire city to that activity; are still a place where neighbourhood watch isn't a good thing; still have huge thought filters on the population; and still keep around a million people in prisons for thinking differently and use them for forced labour.
They use capitalism as a state tool of power, not because they suddenly feel the warm pang of capitalism. A lot of these factories are state owned and they regularly defy the world market on things like the value of their currency.
Post by SovietPrussia on Nov 8, 2007 3:08:00 GMT -5
newdracora said:
Corporate Police State?
Maybe, but I think a Corporate Police State is when a corporation is the government. And if anyone disagrees with the corporation, they disappear in the night.
"Communism is like prohibition, it's a good idea but it won't work."-Will Rogers
Idealogical communism would be like Oscar Wilde said. But the problem with communism is that it gives a lot of power to the government. One of the reasons for the Cold War was that communist governments are typically dictatorships. Time for another quote.
"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."-John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
So, it should be communism, but a true communist government would get rid of all foreign (and thus, capitalist) corporations. But may I point out that many items sold in the U.S. come from China. Just look in any Wal-Mart. So, Commie-capitalist.