It’s interesting reading this chapter with the knowledge of World War II and the ensuing Cold War. It really stresses that no socialist country has genuinely been allowed to develop peacefully, on its own terms. Even countries like Vietnam and China are constantly playing games of back and forth with the west as the US continues to see if it can wage war against modern China.

Nothing really drives home how many resources are spent on war like knowing that it directly takes away from your ability to meet people’s needs in a socialist system, and that’s something those living in socialism know well.