Terror, Propaganda and the Birth of the “New Man”: Experiences from Cuba, North Korea, and the Soviet Union
Cato Event Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did communist regimes aim to create a 'New Man'?
Communist regimes aimed to create a 'New Man' to transform human nature, eliminating selfishness, nationalism, and class consciousness, and instilling austere discipline, hard work, and a willingness to sacrifice for the common good, adhering to Marxism-Leninism.
How many people are estimated to have died due to communism between 1917 and the mid-1990s?
Between 80 million and 160 million people are estimated to have died due to communism between 1917 and the mid-1990s, with a killing rate of 150 to 300 people per hour for 78 years.
What was the primary goal of Kim Il-sung's regime in North Korea?
Kim Il-sung's regime aimed to create a society of total control, eliminating monetary economy and enforcing strict rationing, with the goal of transforming North Korea into an embodiment of Stalin's dreams, though possibly even more extreme.
How did North Korea's economy change after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea's state-planned economy fell apart, leading to a massive economic dislocation and the rise of a private economy, with 25-50% of GDP now produced privately and 80% of household income coming from private sources.
What role did propaganda and terror play in the Castro regime in Cuba?
The Castro regime used propaganda and terror to destroy traditional society and create a new man, targeting sectors of society with repression, confiscations, and incarcerations to maintain control and keep the population in fear and poverty.
How did the Soviet Union's system of terror and propaganda influence other countries?
The Soviet Union exported its system of terror and propaganda to newly conquered territories, applying similar methods of repression, confiscation, and control in countries like Eastern Europe, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba, targeting government officials, religious leaders, and other social groups.
What were the estimated human losses due to terror and political repression in the Soviet Union?
The estimated human losses due to terror and political repression in the Soviet Union range from 34 million people, accounting for up to 22% of the USSR population in 1922, with total human losses due to all reasons possibly reaching close to 100 million.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the collapse of the Soviet Union?
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba allowed small-scale free market reforms and attracted foreign investment, which helped mitigate the economic crisis until Hugo Chavez's Venezuela provided subsidies, allowing Cuba to revert to a similar economic model as during the Soviet era.
What is the current state of the surveillance state in North Korea under Kim Jong-un?
Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has become more selective in enforcing old regulations, with control over domestic movement largely non-existent and bribes accepted for travel permits. However, control over the border with China has increased, and there is a crackdown on the spread of South Korean media to maintain stability.
What is the per capita income gap between North and South Korea?
The per capita income gap between North and South Korea is one of the largest in the world, with a ratio of 1 to 14 to 1 to 30, making it the largest gap between two countries with a shared land border.
- Communist regimes aimed to transform human nature into a 'New Man' adhering to Marxism-Leninism
- The 'New Man' was envisioned as selfless and devoid of base instincts
- The incompatibility of communist ideals and human nature led to the use of propaganda and terror
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