Actually existing socialism

"Actually existing socialism" (AES), also known as "real socialism" or "existing socialism", is a disputed concept which originated in the Brezhnevite Soviet Union involving critical or uncritical support for socialist states which survived the end of the Cold War. Supporters of AES may argue that spreading revolution and thus building socialism in one's own country is secondary or even futile (particularly when it concerns "first world countries", as most supporters of the "AES" doctrine also happen to be third-worldists ). Critics often label these states capitalist or social-imperialist, whereas supporters vary wildly on the question and in fact tend to avow the existence of capitalist relations in AES states. In fact, disagreement more directly concerns the nature of the Soviet Union after Stalin's death and the practical application of the Marxist theories of communism and the dictatorship of the proletariat to the present day. AES supporters include Dengists, who focus their support on the People's Republic of China.

China, Vietnam, the DPRK (North Korea), Laos, and Cuba are the five states most often called "actually existing socialism".

See also

• Revisionism
• Critical support
• Dengism
• Brezhnev Doctrine
• Social imperialism