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Article: Communism in crisis. (Communist doubts in China, Soviet Union, East Germany, Czechoslovakia) (editorial)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- July 1, 1989
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1989 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Communism in crisis
One challenge--from the people. Many responses--from the party. Risks all round
FROM Moscow to Sofia, from Berlin to Beijing, a spectre is haunting communists in power--the spectre of self-doubt. Communist doubts are a big improvement on communist certainties. They may even lead to non-communist choices.
Deng Xiaoping used China's army so murderously last month not just to quell student unrest, but to remind those toying with the idea of negotiating with the students that his party negotiates with no one. Mr Deng was prepared to spill blood to reassert party-power over people-power. The communist parties of Poland and ...