Not just here, but also on reddit and other social media.
Sure, there is a propaganda war brewing wherein a lot of Western media are pushing exaggerated narratives, Adrian Zenz is a theological dope of an academic, and the CIA has a vested interest in accelerating conflict, etc. but surely there’s got to be room to also address the shortcomings of China as well? Whether it’s about LGBTQ+ issues, or the exploits of Chinese capitalism, or being able to criticize or make fun of Xi, I see posts here routinely and systemically brigaded and comments downvoted to oblivion that even sniff at criticism of China.
I consider myself a free agent, and China’s meteoric rise gives me some hope for a brighter tomorrow (in contrast to the US), but this blatant campaign of social media manipulation gives me pause for concern. It just screams insecurity and makes me not trust what feels like a counter-propaganda narrative. (Mods, please never get rid of the downvote counter.)
Anyway, here’s hoping for a brighter future, but please let ideas breathe.
Thanks for listening.
Don’t be obtuse. China is the rising power to the US’s established power; of course people are going to scrutinize it more than Laos or Cuba.
If you do not live within China’s sphere of power, your day to day life is equally impacted by China or Laos or Cuba lol. It’s really not that hard to grasp that. Offering critiques of China does not change its policy, and likely just contributes to the current anti-China narrative
The correct goal of critique here is certainly not to affect Chinese policy; it is to understand and evaluate it in keeping with our continual development as students of historical materialism. China, as the largest, most advanced, most populous, and most prominent socialist country on Earth, is naturally both an important country to study and one that invites curiosity. If we are truly committed to scientific socialism, we really ought not to discourage that.
I understand that. But if your attempts at engaging in scientific socialism causes you to criticize China, and only China, you’re not doing it in good faith. Either be critical of every socialist project (in good faith discussions) in order to build your view, or shut the fuck up about China
