The regime is certainly a sibling of Mao's and a cousin of all the "communist" regimes established during that period. There are a lot of stylistic similarities

The regime is certainly a sibling of Mao's and a cousin of all the "communist" regimes established during that period. There are a lot of stylistic similarities in their art, propaganda, speeches and such. A surprising number of traits seem to be features picked all totalitarian regimes, including ancient ones. Deification and mythologizing of rulers and accompanying art is something found in many accounts of kings from some of the oldest pieces of port writing we have. What is striking and unique about this regime is how long it has managed to maintain this totalitarianism. There are young adults who are now 3rd generation natives to this craziness. It's also amazingly isolated. Isolation is not rare in history, but in the context of the modern era it makes it very very strange.