Upstream

[TEASER] (Chinese) Socialism vs (U.S.) Capitalism


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In this episode in our reading series, Robbie reads a piece written by Indrajit Samarajiva titled "How Communism Is Outcompeting Capitalism." Why is the entire techno-capitalist class, along with their loyal handmaidens in the media, freaking out about DeepSeek—a Chinese AI company's an open-source large language model? Why are electric vehicles (EVs) so much cheaper, efficient, and better in China? Why is the United States ramping up anti-China hysteria in this country? And why are living standards and life expectancy in China overtaking those in the United States? 

The answer is simple: socialism is better than capitalism. On every single front. And in this reading series, Robbie reads and reflects on Indrajit Samarajiva's piece as it provides a brief history of the rise of communism in China, the period of Deng Xiaoping's market reforms, and the superiority of socialist economies over capitalist ones. 

Further resources:

  • How Communism Is Outcompeting Capitalism
  • "Capitalist reforms and extreme poverty in China: unprecedented progress or income deflation?" Sullivan, Moatsos, Hickel in New Political Economy: Volume 29, 2024 - Issue 1
  • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film)

Related episodes:

  • Historical Materialism w/ Torkil Lauesen
  • Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism: An Introduction
  • Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism: An Introduction
  • [UNLOCKED] How the North Plunders the South w/ Jason Hickel
  • Socialism Betrayed w/ Roger Keeran and Joe Jamison
  • The Logical Case for Socialism (and Against Capitalism) w/ Scott Sehon
  • The Green Transition Part 1: The Problem with Green Capitalism
  • The Green Transition Part 2: A Green Deal for the People

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If your organization wants to sponsor one of our upcoming documentaries, we have a number of sponsorship packages available. Find out more at  upstreampodcast.org/sponsorship

For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky. You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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