That was exactly my point - pretty well I'd say, 40 years later! I'm not championing countries here, but it's probably true to say that western views of Maoist

That was exactly my point - pretty well I'd say, 40 years later! I'm not championing countries here, but it's probably true to say that western views of Maoist China tend to lack breadth. For example I've personally video-interviewed people who had a great time being relocated for re-education in tropical paradise (despite the local ladies being off-limits), then spent years traveling around the country on the government's budget as lowly trade facilitators in the socialist planned economy! Besides, if we take China's cycle from wealthy and inward-looking to corrupt and despotic, through widespread opiate abuse (English-profiteering), war and revolution (Mao) to a complete social transformation (post-Mao), then isn't America at about opiate abuse, and due for a Mao? Oh wait, Trump... :)