It has been suggested to me by more than one person now that geographical proximity to the USSR played a key role in the relative success of communism in Asia compared to Africa. This seems to have merit as a partial explanation. It certainly explains a large part of the success of communist movements in North Korea, China, and Afghanistan and to a lesser extent in Vietnam.
Long time reader, first time commenting. My U had a job candidate (I don't recall her name, unfortunately) a few years ago give a talk on Chinese students educated in czarist Russia/the USSR, and made an arguement for the strong educational link influencing the spread of communism, at least to China. Maybe there were similar programs for students in other Asian countries but not for African students?
ReplyDeleteThere were programs for African students in the USSR. But, they don't really get a significant amount of African students in the USSR until the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteOh and thank you for stopping by to comment Eileen. Looking at your profile I was very surprised that you described yourself as a long time reader. I would have thought I had exactly zero readers that fit your demographic. But, life is full of surprises.
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