Successful Leftist Nations

[Spasiba]

How many nations in the past and present have presented a socialist (or communist or, if it ever was possible, anarchist) societies, and how close to the ideaology were they? Were they successful, how much difficulty was placed on them because of imperialists, etc? Were the USSR or China ever at a socialist government, for example? Brought this up after hearing some information on Angola, and also thinking of the more welfare-state systems like Sweden, and apparantly the Incas had a kind of communist system going on. I think some other native american societies were alot more leftist as well. So just some general info on countries that have tried to progress would be appreciated.

[Roel85]

Cuba is pretty succesfull, the first four years of communism at the USSR were very succesfull.

This is what i know :P

[Tatarin]

I'd say the Scandinavian countries have a somewhat good welfare system, yes, but that is being "erased" out.

[Raúl Duke]

Cuba is pretty successful, the first four years of communism at the USSR were very successful.

Communism is stateless and classless...

Neither Cuba nor the USSR reached communism.


How many nations in the past and present have presented a socialist (or communist or, if it ever was possible, anarchist) societies, and how close to the ideaology were they? Were they successful, how much difficulty was placed on them because of imperialists, etc?

Paris Commune, early stages of Russian Revolution (in some areas, arguable), Ukraine during the Russian Revolution, Catalonia and Aragon during the Spanish Civil War, etc.

These are examples of communist and/or anarchist societies...they were either defeated by the reaction (due to a number of factors), by their allies (Ukraine), and/or by "degeneration" or whatever (every strand has their own version of events) of the communist party (Russia).

[Dr Mindbender]

pre-1924 soviet union.

[RbG]

CUBA is the closest in the present. Thats the only country i can think of that is closest to the ideaology at the present.

[Roel85]

Yes thats what i said ^^ first 4 years of the Soviet Union

[El Presidente]

Venezuela might be one to add to the list. Unfortunately it may be taking a rather sinister turn with the term limits on Hugo Chavez being removed, not to mention the removal of the opposition TV station.

Bolivia under Eva Morales is meant to have a similar government agenda to Venezuela. Although I am not sure how successful it is. Might need to look it up.

[Tatarin]

I think Evo Morales already stated that he supports America, whatever that is supposed to mean.

Also, he hasn't taken as radical turns as Chavez has, probably in fear of global damnation...

[YSR]

The problem with the phrasing of this question is that it assumes "leftism" is compatible with nations.

There are plenty of examples of leftist communities and spaces.

[UndergroundConnexion]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 05:04 am
I think Evo Morales already stated that he supports America, whatever that is supposed to mean.

Also, he hasn't taken as radical turns as Chavez has, probably in fear of global damnation...
where did he say that ?

[manic expression]

Originally posted by UndergroundConnexion+October 08, 2007 10:29 am--> (UndergroundConnexion @ October 08, 2007 10:29 am)
[email protected] 08, 2007 05:04 am
I think Evo Morales already stated that he supports America, whatever that is supposed to mean.

Also, he hasn't taken as radical turns as Chavez has, probably in fear of global damnation...
where did he say that ? [/b]
That's what I'm wondering.

Anyway, Cuba is a great example of socialism and the dictatorship of the proletariat today; the Paris Commune and the Soviet Union are two of the past.

[Spasiba]

What happened, exactly, that made the USSR go awry? And, too be honest, I get the most mixed reviews imaginable about Cuba, no surprise, so if I could have a more complete take on the situation there, that would be great.

[Axel1917]

Originally posted by El [email protected] 07, 2007 10:03 pm
Venezuela might be one to add to the list. Unfortunately it may be taking a rather sinister turn with the term limits on Hugo Chavez being removed, not to mention the removal of the opposition TV station.

Bolivia under Eva Morales is meant to have a similar government agenda to Venezuela. Although I am not sure how successful it is. Might need to look it up.
Chavez's term limits are being removed because the bulk of the population wants him to remain president. He has increasing support, and is recallable. This myth about no term limits being totalitarian are false and are bourgeois propaganda.

RCTV did not get its license renewed for its blatantly reactionary role in the April 2002 coup against Chavez (people were killed in this coup). RCTV is also still broadcasting.

Venezuela is still a capitalist nation, although a revolution is taking place there. The revolution needs to be finished.


What happened, exactly, that made the USSR go awry? And, too be honest, I get the most mixed reviews imaginable about Cuba, no surprise, so if I could have a more complete take on the situation there, that would be great.

In short, the revolution was isolated in a backward nation, and the masses were demoralized and war weary as well. The class forces had changed, and bureaucratic elements were able to seize power. This explanation is not very good, but Ted Grant wrote a detailed book in this aspect:

http://www.marxist.com/russia-revolution-c...olution-116.htm (http://www.marxist.com/russia-revolution-counterrevolution-116.htm)