jlk7e@juno.com wrote:
The idea of the Communist state page, as I understand it, is that there is a particular type of governmental system called a "Communist state", practiced in the USSR, its satellites, the PRC, etc. etc. This governmental system is characterized by certain things, such as the entwining of the state with the Communist party, and the embrace of Marxist-Leninist ideology. Political scientists use the term "Communist state" to refer to this type of governmental system. I believe this is the argument that was put forth by jtd, 172, and others (although they should correct me if I'm mischaracterizing them).
It sounds like the title should be "Definining characteristics of a communist state" or some such, then, to alleviate the ambiguity. These are the necessary and sufficient conditions for a state to be called a communist state.
Things like 'suppression of dissent' happen in some kinds of non-Communist states, so even thought it's true that communist states have a track record in this area, it is not a defining characteristic.
Calling the articles "Communist state" versus "Communist government" is probably not helpful in preventing the kinds of controversies we have seen.
--Jimbo