this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2025
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I'm not Dessalines, but as the curator of the other list, I can do my best to answer.
When you say that Marxism has become "brutal and distorted," I think you're operating from a mindset and understanding rooted in Western culture and education. I would say, based on my research and reading into AES (Actually Existing Socialism), these countries such as Cuba, the PRC, and the former USSR all apply Marxist understanding and methods to amazing effect.
The Red Scare never ended, and being aware that it existed isn't enough to actually understand what AES is like. The history of AES, and the conditions within those countries, is not reported faithfully or honestly in the West, so it is very difficult. That doesn't mean they are perfect, but it means they are real, and come with real victories for the Working Class.
That's why the opening sections of my reading list include Blackshirts and Reds as well as Dr. Michael Parenti's 1986 lecture, these 2 really give an eye-opening look into the mythology and demonization of AES in the west, and how that process is intentional and persists to this day.
To circle back to your question, Marxists are hopeful because Marxism works, we know this and see it happening. We learn from the mistakes our predecessors made and we promise to carry their work forward.
As a final side-note, regarding the Nazis: it was the Red Army that did 80% of the fighting against the Nazis. We have Marxists to thank for the defeat of the Nazis, and we can do it again.
I’m surely not here to argue.
What do marxists think of North Korea?
And you are correct that my “education” has been little more than capitalist brainwashing, but what’s true about the millions that Stalin is supposed to have massacred?
Generally, the DPRK is seen similarly to Cuba, they would be doing far better if the US Empire wasn't sanctioning them directly to cause harm. As for Stalin, it depends on what you're talking about, the Great Purge had no more than 700,000 condemned to death, and that doesn't mean every one of them was actually executed. Stalin certainly wasn't a saint, but at the same time he wasn't worse than Hitler and killed 10-20 million like the Black Book of Communism would have you think.
Ultimately though, Marxism isn't "become DPRK" or "be Stalin." I think you have to study Marxism more to understand why those questions largely don't matter for building Socialism. I suggest you read Blackshirts and Reds.
I shall embrace beginner mind and read more. Thanks for the recommendations and the links.
I believe that progressives in the US brought this on by lacking genuine and real vision. They called themselves progressives but Bernie was too socialist for them?? I can’t stand it.