1/28/24

Arizona Republican misses the part where communist Vietnam is flourishing

Collectivism is arguably the most important feature binding every surviving human culture on the Earth today yet modern purely socialistic societies have struggled with longevity. Why? Probably because US capitalists have warred against any and all efforts at pure socialism around the globe since it was defined in the modern sense even as those wars are bankrupting America today.
Arizona's speaker of the House wants to make sure high schoolers get at least a crash course on the history of communist regimes. It would mandate that the instruction include "the prevalence of poverty, starvation, migration, systemic lethal violence and suppression of speech'' under those regimes. [Arizona lawmaker: High schoolers must be taught communism is bad]
Although the term “socialist” wasn’t widely used until the nineteenth century it's of little consequence as it has existed in its purest form for nearly all of human history.
Vietnam has emerged as one of the rare winners during recent years of de-globalization thanks to its thoughtful policy of “bamboo diplomacy”. The policy has enabled it to upgrade relations with the West while maintaining positive ties with its largest trading partner, China. Bamboo diplomacy is enshrined in Vietnam’s “Four No’s”: no military alliances, no picking sides in conflicts, no foreign military bases, and no use of force in international relations. Officials are open to doing business with anyone as long as they aren’t dragged into quarrels. [Amid U.S.-China Tensions, Vietnam’s Economy Is Rising]
Indigenous cultures lived in collectivist economies long before migrating to this hemisphere and capitalism has destroyed hope in Indian Country where throughout herstory family and community have been more important than money and consumerism for countless generations

"The prevalence of poverty, starvation, migration, systemic lethal violence and suppression of speech" reads a lot like Texas, innit?

1 comment:

larry kurtz said...

Update, to counter China the Biden administration strengthens ties to the Communist Party in Vietnam: NPR.