[freemanon]

Czechoslovakia didn't have actual communism. It was oppressed by a stalinist Soviet Union. Lenin was nothing like Stalin.

People mistake oppression and basically incompetence of the soviet union as proof that communism will never work, but it wasn't communism. During the Lenin era, industrial output actually far outpaced western countries, millions were lifted out of poverty. Same in China, Mao's madness with the great leap forward plunged the country into famine. These weren't communism.

There has not been a real communist society in human history. It'll require the population to change its mindset first from greed, ignorance and blind faith, towards critical thinking, socialism (care for others). These are pre-requisites for any ideals, even democracy.

The falacy of the neoliberal order is to think greed, excess consumption and the paramount right of the individual will magically bring a prosperous society, where in fact it sets up an exploitative system where the vast majority toils for the tiny minority and stays poor and stupid.

[kazinator]

Actual True Scotsmans communism could easily be worse than the ones we actually had. Because there would be no way for anyone who is capable to use that to their own advantage rather than that of the collective. It could easily be the scummiest form of communism, where even the hope of partaking in corruption, or clandestine free-market activity would be taken away from you.

[skinnymuch]

You can't use True Scotsman sort of fallacy push back in an adult discussion. It's obvious Stalin's Russia was not proper communism. Lenin was nothing like Stalin. Stalin was still at least a communist, but he was not a good person and was not good for communism. Besides the capitalists in America and all the right wing govts America put in power in its cruel crusade against Communism.

Your argument is a typical one. See this 18 min video for why that isn't necessarily true: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbkMDb1jJCw