They both have a bit in common. They’re both communist Asian states that the US went to war with during the Cold War and did not win. But the messaging regarding the two states is a lot different. DPRK is treated like the worst dictatorship ever, that kills you and your family for even thinking that the Kims are less than gods, whilst also starving. But Vietnam, they say… nothing.

Why isn’t Vietnam demonized like DPRK?

  • PKMKII [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    40·
    29 days ago

    The same could be said for China, of course, up until very recently - when I think those same academics are coming to the stark realization that markets and Socialism are not incompatible and that, in actuality, China is not the Western neocolony they thought it was but is instead a Socialist state that has used markets to propel itself to a preeminent world power.

    The switch happened when China started cracking down on and significantly limiting foreign interests from owning capital in China. As much as the capitalism vs socialism ideological divide makes hay, practically speaking Western powers are more concerned with countries in the periphery allowing foreign ownership than levels of worker control or social benefits. A country could be completely capitalist internally, as long as they limit foreign capital TPTB will label it an oppressive, authoritarian regime.