The 5 Remaining Communist Countries in the World

The late 1980s and early 1990s were a pretty exciting time provided that you weren’t a commie pinko or Lenin statue. It all started when the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989, leading to the reunification of Germany less than one calendar year later. Other countries behind the Iron Curtain, such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania also did away with their communist rulers as did Yugoslavia and, of course, the Soviet Union. But those who assumed that communism was completely dead forget to tell a small handful of countries that continue to plough ahead with their hammers and sickles. Which countries are still communist? How did it happen? And most importantly, what would Uncle Lenin think of these if he were still alive today? Of course, do keep in mind that he’d be nearly 150 years old, confirming my suspicious that he’s secretly a vampire. Without further ado, let’s answer these questions.

China

How long have they been communist: The world’s second largest economy recently celebrated its 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. There were parades. There were tanks. There were lots of delicious steamed dumplings to go around.

How did it happen: In the aftermath of World War II, China that had been devastated by war with Japan plunged into civil war between Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists – the government in power – and the Communist revolutionaries led by Mao Zedong. The war ended in 1949, with the Nationalists fleeing to Taiwan (where they remain today) and Chairman Mao declaring victory. Economic reforms in the 1990s lead to a sizable middle class (which is going to happen when you’ve got 1.4 billion citizens) and while there has been an economic slowdown of late, President Xi Jinping and the rest of the commie crew are firmly in control and aren’t going anywhere in the foreseeable future.

What would Uncle Lenin think: He’d frown upon all of the Starbucks and KFCs that have laid claim to most of Beijing, but otherwise he’d give Chinese communism a huge thumbs up and a wink for good measure.