One theory I’ve heard about the accelerating of the worsening conditions of western proletariat is that the USSR used to provide a bulwark against things getting too bad. People would point at the USSR and the illusion that capitalism was better for individual prosperity would collapse in comparison. Then, with the USSR gone things have been deteriorating for the past ~30 years.

If that is true, even somewhat, why haven’t we seen a similar effect from China’s example? Is the theory simply wrong? Maybe western capitalism is just unable to even offer scraps from the table at this point. Maybe people are unaware of how things are in China? Could we dare to expect that China’s example will force a lifting of the boot from our necks?

  • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
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    7 months ago

    Not just the general public, the average “”“leftist”“” has been convinced China a capitalist hellscape with all jobs being sweatshops and the like.

    • Addfwyn@lemmygrad.ml
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      7 months ago

      It’s always the same like three or four talking points too, every single time. They aren’t even particularly compelling ones.

      It’s not like China is a perfect country that cannot be criticized whatsoever, but their arguments always boil down to “Oh yeah, social credit and winnie the pooh! TAKE THAT WUMAO”