If you resurrected Lenin, took him for a walk around Shanghai or Beijing and explained the deal to him he would be proud since so much of their political system is derived from Leninism, ergo communism. Even their market economy seems like a redux of Lenin’s NEP.
Don’t try pulling that tired old “not real communism” schtick, we all see through it. Another thing, if they weren’t communists, where is the incentive to keep up the charade with all the symbolism? Surely a rational non-communist polity would realize there is a lot to gain from dropping the whole red, socialist realism and adopt a more (post-)modern aesthetic.
>Another thing, if they weren’t communists, where is the incentive to keep up the charade with all the symbolism? Surely a rational non-communist polity would realize there is a lot to gain from dropping the whole red, socialist realism and adopt a more (post-)modern aesthetic.
Much to the contrary. All governments strive for continuity to legitimise their regime. It's why for example even revolutions often co-opt the institutions they're trying to replace. In this case the communist "branding" is what gives them their legitimacy.
Don’t try pulling that tired old “not real communism” schtick, we all see through it. Another thing, if they weren’t communists, where is the incentive to keep up the charade with all the symbolism? Surely a rational non-communist polity would realize there is a lot to gain from dropping the whole red, socialist realism and adopt a more (post-)modern aesthetic.