Paul Mason, Reds: A Global History of Communism

PAUL MASON, Reds: A Global History of Communism

The former Channel 4 News reporter talks to journalist Paul Lashmar about the global history of communism.

Reds traces the history of communist ideas through the ancient world, and chronicles the rise of 19th-century anti-capitalist movements. Crucially, it asks how the idealism of millions led to mass murder and repression.

Using testimonies from perpetrators and victims, Mason offers a terrifying account of how a 20th-century political experiment became a totalitarian nightmare. He also has a warning for the present.

Western democracies lack self-belief: millions in the global south see China’s authoritarian development model as a viable alternative. Is history destined to repeat itself?

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