
[BOR]
0: Safe
1: Open-ended question
2: Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
3: Not regarding using or support for Lemmy
4: Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
5: [An actual topic of discussion]

[EOR]
[BOC]
Most large-scale attempts at communism were managed in a centralized way top-down by force. 
One strong leader, usually with a cult of personality. Glorification of the military. Devaluation of individual life and emphasis on sacrifice for the common good. Suppression of dissent by violence.  

You can see the parallels with fascism. I'd even argue that what we know as communism and fascism mainly differ in their approach to the economy.  

On the other hand, capitalism exists and thrives in chaos. It doesn't exclude authoritarianism - actually it tends to produce it when capitalists capture the government. But some capitalist countries manage not to slide all the way and have been keeping up some kind of freedom for decades, so it kinda works.
[EOC]
