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If you HAD to choose between life in a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian?

SDET

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If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.
 
If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.

Russia would certainly qualify as right wing authoritarian. So would the old Soviet Union, but that entity is no more. North Korea would qualify as well. I have no idea how you could possibly have listed that one as "left wing."

I think it depends on which country we're talking about. I lived in Bolivia for two years, and would most definitely move there as opposed to North Korea. Venezuela is a failed state, and therefore at the bottom of the list of places to live.

What is your definition of "left wing" vs. "right wing" authoritarian anyway?
 
Russia would certainly qualify as right wing authoritarian. So would the old Soviet Union, but that entity is no more. North Korea would qualify as well. I have no idea how you could possibly have listed that one as "left wing."

I think it depends on which country we're talking about. I lived in Bolivia for two years, and would most definitely move there as opposed to North Korea. Venezuela is a failed state, and therefore at the bottom of the list of places to live.

What is your definition of "left wing" vs. "right wing" authoritarian anyway?

Marxist versus anti-Communist. I ask this question with the motive of where to retire. I think that democracy has slid into voting for more free stuff with increasingly diminishing returns. Venezuela's United Socialist Party was duly elected up until 2017 as far as I know. We are evolving into an age of authoritarian democracy that seems to itch for implementing a Chairman Mao's "political correctness".
 
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Marxist versus anti-Communist

There really are no Marxist states left, as that economic model has failed miserably. The nations you listed are certainly not "Marxist." China isn't even really "red" any more, not since Mao. Were it still communist, it wouldn't be kicking out butts in international trade as it is starting to do.

While living in any authoritarian state would be less than satisfying, I'd pick Bolivia, "Red" China, Vietnam, or South Africa over Laos, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua or The Philippines.
 
That is a tough one because it would depend on my socioeconomic status. If I knew I would still get to be a business owner than I would go with the right wing one. But if I am part of the working class having to work for others, I would go with the left wing one. Neither sound all that fun, though.
 
That is a tough one because it would depend on my socioeconomic status. If I knew I would still get to be a business owner than I would go with the right wing one. But if I am part of the working class having to work for others, I would go with the left wing one. Neither sound all that fun, though.

Therein lies the split though, if no business exist in the left wing dictatorship then where do the workers work? Well they do obsolete and unprofitable state paid jobs that produce no value and their life sucks anyway.
 
Russia would certainly qualify as right wing authoritarian. So would the old Soviet Union, but that entity is no more. North Korea would qualify as well. I have no idea how you could possibly have listed that one as "left wing."

I think it depends on which country we're talking about. I lived in Bolivia for two years, and would most definitely move there as opposed to North Korea. Venezuela is a failed state, and therefore at the bottom of the list of places to live.

What is your definition of "left wing" vs. "right wing" authoritarian anyway?

Uhhh No
 
Since I am in America, and had to make a choice of a bad government being to the left or the right - I would accept the Trump Administration because I am a white male. Lying Trump, has no respect for the rule of law, or accepts the judgments of the courts, or the will of the Congress.
 
It would be a personal decision as to which would be best for my family and myself. Both extreme groups tend to destroy everyone not seen as one of them - often on racial, ethnic or religious terms. So depending how that ultra left or ultra right country was in regards to my own family would make that decision. I do not live my life and make my decisions dogmatically, but pragmatically.
 
Russia would certainly qualify as right wing authoritarian. So would the old Soviet Union, but that entity is no more. North Korea would qualify as well. I have no idea how you could possibly have listed that one as "left wing."

I think it depends on which country we're talking about. I lived in Bolivia for two years, and would most definitely move there as opposed to North Korea. Venezuela is a failed state, and therefore at the bottom of the list of places to live.

What is your definition of "left wing" vs. "right wing" authoritarian anyway?

How is Russia "right wing authoritarian?"
 
If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.


Are you interested in something besides bashing the left wing? I don't see it.
 
If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.

You're promoting a very simplistic view of the world.

If by "right-wing" you mean a government that believes it shouldn't be involved in the economy, then given that the government is authoritarian, I would prefer that.

But it's not that simple.

"right-wing" would also mean a government that lets businesses do whatever they want. You wouldn't be able to start a business or earn a decent living because of corporate tyranny. You would have a handful of giant monopolies that would control every aspect of your life.

The problems of corporate tyranny arose early in the 20th century and the revolt was almost instantaneous. It led to an immediate shift left in the U.S. with anti-trust laws and all kinds of regulations protecting workers and consumers. In Russia, it led to a revolution.

Examples of extreme right-wing governments are few and far between because they are so unstable that they existed for brief periods of time. Libertarian governments don't exist anywhere for a reason. They are unsustainable.

So, extreme left-wing government are horrible but at least they can function. Extreme right-wing governments can't function at all. That's why they don't exist.
 
Are you interested in something besides bashing the left wing? I don't see it.

I'm a man of action. I'm actually considering places to retire. I can't get away from #METOO soon enough. Brazil is the top candidate at the moment. Given a current culture that only cares about free stuff, many countries can look forward to authoritarian democracies.
 
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I'm a man of action. I'm actually considering places to retire. I can't get away from #METOO soon enough. Brazil is the top candidate at the moment. Given a current culture that only cares about free stuff, many countries can look forward to authoritarian democracies.

You wouldn't like Canada. We're centerists. Well left of center compared to the USA. Actually, we're quite left wing. OK, let's be honest, we're almost communist. Heck we are communist, probably to the left of communist. So don't come here, you won't like it. Yecch!
 
You wouldn't like Canada. We're centerists. Well left of center compared to the USA. Actually, we're quite left wing. OK, let's be honest, we're almost communist. Heck we are communist, probably to the left of communist. So don't come here, you won't like it. Yecch!

I have been to every province in Canada. Canada is fine if you want emulate Les Stroud.
 
Choosing between a left wing authoritarian and a right wing authoritarian is like deciding between being shot in the head by a bullet made of iron or a bullet made of lead. In a way the political orientation is irrelevant since the aim of the authoritarian is power and the political ideology is just his particular vehicle for acquiring it.
 
How is Russia "right wing authoritarian?"

They're about as militaristic and authoritarian as a society can get. They make noises about democracy, but no citizen had better criticize Putin, as he rules with an iron fist. Their society is not oriented toward human rights in any way. I'd call them right wing authoritarian, certainly not liberal or democratic.
 
If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.

Does the African American experience under slavery count as right-wing authoritarianism? How does it fit in your right/left binary dichotomy?

You had a free market but business owners were allowed by the government to enslave employees. There you have an example of extreme right-wing policies. In the extreme right-wing you have corporate slavery.

Other examples would be the British East India company and what they did in India and the power they had in England.

Bonus Question: Was slavery caused by capitalism? Is it fair to blame capitalism for slavery in the same way we blame socialism/communism for the atrocities of the Soviets?
 
I define a right-wing leader as someone who wants to maintain the status quo.

I define a left-wing leader as someone who wants to change society.


*****


Thus I would prefer to live in an authoritarian right-wing country like Hungary instead of an authoritarian left-wing country like Venezuela.

If this were the 1930s, I would prefer to live under right-wing dictator Franco in Spain instead of left-wing dictator Stalin in Russia.

*****

I get the impression that authoritarian right-wing dictators murder fewer people than left-wing dictators do.
 
Characterizing governments or people on Anglo-American political dichotomy is fraught with generalizations and over-simplifications. It's as silly as the "Jesus was a liberal(or a conservative)" nonsense.
 
i have a belligerent attitude towards authority
 
If you HAD to choose between life in a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian?


I choose rebellion.
 
There really are no Marxist states left, as that economic model has failed miserably. The nations you listed are certainly not "Marxist." China isn't even really "red" any more, not since Mao. Were it still communist, it wouldn't be kicking out butts in international trade as it is starting to do.

While living in any authoritarian state would be less than satisfying, I'd pick Bolivia, "Red" China, Vietnam, or South Africa over Laos, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua or The Philippines.

There has never been a Marxist state. Lenin gave it a half hearted try before he died. But every attempt, including his, devolved into conventional dictatorship from the top down, the opposite of Marx's pipe dream.
 
They're about as militaristic and authoritarian as a society can get. They make noises about democracy, but no citizen had better criticize Putin, as he rules with an iron fist. Their society is not oriented toward human rights in any way. I'd call them right wing authoritarian, certainly not liberal or democratic.

Classic!

While young liberals want to quell free speech?
 
If your life circumstances were such that you had to choose between living under a left-wing authoritarian or right-wing authoritarian, which would you choose? Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Red China, South Africa, Laos, Bolivia, Nicaragua certainly can be considered left-wing authoritarian. Right-wing authoritarian ?
The Philippines perhaps under Duterte. Are there any others? Historically, several right-wing authoritarian governments have brought about prosperity by pursuing policies that are "good for business".

Where does Russia fall? It's leader, Putin is former KBG, which means ties to Communism, however, some now refer to Putin as right-wing.

What silliness. There is NO SUCH THING as a "right wing authoritarian government."


The entire premise of "right wing" is THE RIGHTS of INDIVIDUAL SUPERCEDE THE POWER OF THE STATE.

The entire premise of " left wing" is the POWER of the STATES, SUPERCEDES THE RIGHTS of the INDIVIDUAL.

The Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution, "The Wealth of Nations" (Smith 1776) , "Atlas Shrugged" (Rand, 1957) are all examples of "RIGHT WING" philosophy = The INDIVIDUAL OVER THE STATE.


"The Social Contract" -Rousseau, 1762, "The Communist Manifesto" - Marx, Engels, etal., 1848, "Mein Kampf" -Hitler, 1924, "The Doctrine of Fascism" -Mussolini, 1932, are all examples of "LEFT WING " philosophy = The STATE OVER THE INDIVIDUAL.


That leftists continue to utterly fail to grasp this, is testimonial to the Stalinist, post-WW2 propaganda campaign trying to pretend that National Socialists weren't also "left wing", a total and complete pile of bull**** that the left keeps regurgitating to this day.

And, in response to the assuredly upcoming lameass " left defense" that communism and nazismn are "opposites" because they fought each other...LENIN had TROTSKY KILLED , TOO, DIDN'T HE? The COMMUNIST VIETNAMESE DEPOSED POL POT, DIDN' THEY?

Leftists have no qualms about slaughtering those they perceive as thread to their desire for total control over society.


READ SOME BOOKS, leftists. I GAVE YOU THE TITLES ABOVE. Get a clue.
 
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