LETTER TO SCMP
Important words have important meanings.
"Socialism "'is an important word, but Winston Mok plays fast and loose with its meaning. (Anti-socialist nonsense, March 13)
Sometimes he says it's ownership of the means of production; at other times he talks as if it's the welfare state.
The classic definition of Socialism is the former: state control of the means of production.
In every country that socialism (correctly defined) has been tried, its failure has been in direct proportion to the extent to which it's been implemented: North Korea a disaster; Venezuela a catastrophe; Cuba merely indigent.
Let's be clear: Scandinavian countries and Singapore are not socialist. They are capitalist countries with add-on welfare state programs: health care, unemployment benefits, pension, and the like. If American Democrats call this "socialism" they deserve all the opprobrium they get.
However, I doubt that Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and her acolytes want to stop at the welfare state. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, whose program is classically socialist. Step one in the DSA strategy is to get representatives elected and to move the Democrats to the left. Step one achieved: Democrats have moved sharply to the left (hat-tip also to Bernie!). It remains only to keep it moving left. AOC has made no secret of her aim to do so. (See her SXSW appearance, 10 March).
So, no Winston, we don't want China to revert to "more socialism". More welfare state, sure. But not "socialism". That would be a reversion to the bad old days in China, when I recall needing ration coupons to buy my daily food. No thanks.
Pf , etc…
