The problem with all three Isms (Socialism, Communism, Capitalism) is that when they fail at something, as fail they will, their protective layer gets an overhaul. It then aims its security weapons against the people. We saw that happen in China; we saw it happen in East Germany (Der realexistierende Sozialismus, “the real-existing socialism”) and we are seeing it happen now, with ICE and a compliant Republican Party.
When I was in East Germany, I spoke with the editor of Neues Deutschland, the national newspaper. I asked whether it was okay with her that she couldn’t travel to the West, and if it was okay with her that her children did not have a choice of where they’d live or what their job would be. She said that the Wall was an anti-fascist defense system, and that Socialism demanded government manipulation of the talent pool (because in Capitalism, your race, sex, and class origins determine where you will work.)
I found it hard to argue with her, but I also found her justifications terrifying and authoritarian. But when I thought of how “free” a young black kid from the projects in East Flatbush, Brooklyn really is, I had to concede that she’d won the argument.
Every animal will, when threatened with violence, react with violence.