Though China’s modern-day Maoists may advocate larger government, wealth redistribution, and a return to a backward agrarian society, they strike me, by and large, as Bible Belt conservatives in their longing for past glories and comforts, their love for a transcendent leader, and their fondness of ideology. They also have this annoying habit of cherry-picking only the best parts from Mao’s rule and forgetting that millions were purged, starved to death, and slandered/slaughtered by their coworkers, students, neighbors, friends. But hey, no cadre corruption! Yay!
This Financial Times video paints these Maoists as generally convivial, song-loving people, but all the same — I’m glad they don’t have a vote in this country.
Video description:
As China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership transition, many of the country’s Maoists are longing for a time gone by. The FT’s Kathrin Hille joins a group of Maoists as they travel to the birthplace of Mao Zedong and listens to their grievances with today’s Communist party.
(H/T Alicia)
