A Short History of Communism

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Global communism now feels like a distant memory, akin to a nightmarish expressionist vision. Just over a decade ago, authoritarian leaders presided over "workers' paradises," while millions faced severe poverty under a regime that resorted to murder and imprisonment in the name of "progress." The world once seemed threatened by revolutionary movements, supported by military might and the specter of nuclear war. The 1970s marked a peak for Marxism-Leninism, particularly with the fall of South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, making its spread appear unstoppable. Yet, within two decades, this experiment collapsed, leaving behind approximately 100 million dead and widespread economic ruin. Even China has shifted towards free-market principles, with communism now lingering only in a few isolated regions. This book presents the first global narrative history of this significant phenomenon, exploring why communism thrived mainly in countries transitioning from feudalism or colonialism to modernity, contrary to Marx's predictions about developed nations. It examines whether coercion and state planning were necessary for progress in less developed areas, the reasons behind communism's appeal—even among astute Western observers—and the rapidity of its rise and fall. A Short History of Communism offers a comprehensive account of this complex saga, blending themes of idealism, cruelty, suffering, and resilience, while providing a fresh per