Gritt23
New member
Didn't Pol Pot ban the wearing of glasses, because that was a sign of being literate, and he was so distrusting of "intellectuals"?
That's pretty bonkers.
That's pretty bonkers.
The actions of an unholy alliance of counter-revolutionary elements and mafia gangsters. Seems Enver's purges didn't go far enough ...
Those acts were all done in the name of socialism. As was Hitler's, Pol Pot's, Stalin's, Mao's..... do we see a pattern emerging here?
There are also plenty of right wing dictatorships, and plenty of socialist democracies. Hell, I live in an EU country with a democratically elected communist government. Your pattern is flawed because you are only looking at a tiny part of it.
The fact is that socialism is an economic ideal, it has nothing to do with authoritarianism or democracy and can be applied within either.
"In the name of" is a useful phrase isn't it, because it doesn't actually mean that that is the thing that caused it, but you can still blame it on that if it suits you.Those acts were all done in the name of socialism. As was Hitler's, Pol Pot's, Stalin's, Mao's..... do we see a pattern emerging here?
And strangely enough I don't want anything to do with right wing dictatorships either.
The fact is that socialism as an ideal is flawed. Every time anything approaching genuine state socialism is attempted, oppression rears its ugly head and people start dying.
Anyway, socialism is a bit crap. No incentive for personal fulfilment, you see.
And strangely enough I don't want anything to do with right wing dictatorships either. The fact is that socialism as an ideal is flawed. Every time anything approaching genuine state socialism is attempted, oppression rears its ugly head and people start dying. Anyway, socialism is a bit crap. No incentive for personal fulfilment, you see.
"In the name of" is a useful phrase isn't it, because it doesn't actually mean that that is the thing that caused it, but you can still blame it on that if it suits you.
People blow themselves up "in the name of" their god, but it isn't even the book about him. On Tuesday there will be people fighting each other "in the name of" Brighton and Crystal Palace (probably). But that's not really the reason, it's just an excuse.
Atrocities have happened under every dictatorship there's ever been, not just ones that purported to be socialist or communist. Though since you've included Hitler in your list of famous socialists perhaps you think every dictatorship is actually socialism in action. I know it's a popular meme on the American right to call Hitler a lefty (and to call Chavez a dictator despite the free and fair elections he won to get to be "dictator") but I hope that kind of wild eyed and wilful ignorance isn't being imported here. Though obviously it's politcally expedient.
Even if you genuinely think Hitler and the Nazis were a bunch of terrible lefties (no matter what they actually did) both the war and holocaust were done in the name of national and racial supremacy. That's a pretty uncontroversial matter of history.
I get the feeling you're one of those many people that doesn't actually know what socialism is but spouts off about it anyway.
Turkmenbashi FACTS:
Niyazov (his real name) introduced the practice of "Melon Day," a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August; unlike some of his other creations, the celebration of "Melon Day" has continued after his death.
Niyazov banished dogs from the capital Ashgabat because of their "unappealing odour."
He outlawed opera, ballet, and the circus in 2001.
In February 2004 he decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards.
He banned news reporters and anchors from wearing make-up on television, apparently because he believed Turkmen women were already beautiful enough without make-up.
Gold teeth were outlawed in Turkmenistan after Niyazov suggested that the populace chew on bones to strengthen their teeth and lessen the rate at which they fall out. He said:
"I watched young dogs when I was young. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. Those of you whose teeth have fallen out did not chew on bones. This is my advice"
The month of September was renamed Ruhnama in honour of the book written by Niyazov (which he finished writing on 19 September 2001).
Ah, that old chestnut. You're right and I'm wrong because you've decided that I don't know what I'm talking about. Have you considered that actually I have studied it...at length and just reject it? So have many many others cleverer than you or me or anyone posting on this board.
PMB is not some right wing looney. He is the most liberal right of centre you would ever meet.
Blimey. I'm being linked with the American right and obliquely referred to as wild eyed and wilfully ignorant. I know it's a very uncomfortable truth for some but the Nazis were socialists. I know it's not what you like to tell the kids but sadly it's the truth. The clue is in the name although the biggest clues were in their policies.
No - I don't think every dictatorship is socialist in action. In fact I did say previously I don't like right wing dictatorships (although the terms left and right wing are a bit disingenuous here). I think a few South American juntas would get a tad upset at being called socialists. My distaste for socialism doesn't necessarily mean a love of all things right wing either.
I stand by my assertion that every attempt at genuine state socialism has resulted in oppression.