Go to contents

Rich communists

Posted August. 11, 2014 07:02,   

한국어

Communism viewed capitalists as an enemy and penetrated deep into the poor. More than a few major communism activists abandoned their own social ranks and positions. Karl Marx was born in a lawyer’s family and Friedrich Engels was a child of a protestant business man who ran a textile factory. Both could live a rich and comfortable life as a bourgeoisie, but they were attracted more to ideology than to prosperity. Vladimir Lenin, a leader of the Russian revolution, was a son of an educator who reached up to the position of school commissioner.

Zhu De, the leader of Chinese Communist Party’s Red Army, was originally a notorious military officer and corrupted bureaucrat in the Southern China. Zhu lived a life of decadence – received briberies, indulged in opium and built a palatial residence for his wives and concubines. Although he had money, women, position, honor and everything, Zhu who liked reading books opened his eyes to the under-developed status of China. Finally, he left wives and concubines, quit opium and became a revolutionist. During the great journey period in the 1930s, the most challenging period for the Chinese Communist Party, Zhu walked barefoot and filled his stomach with grass roots and pumpkins just as other soldiers did.

The taste of power can go bad as easily as fish does in hot weather. Whether it is small or big, the power leads its owner to numerous temptations. Pockets can be fattened by turning a blind eye to a corruptive matter just once. It is quite easy and natural for a man in power to get involved in a vicious cycle of corruption, except for those who are quite incorruptible. Many activists and leaders often abandon their lofty ideals under the excuse of reality. Not a few communist country leaders, who cried out for equality in the past, show dramatic changes after taking power. So indulged in privilege, extravagance and pleasure, they try to suck blood of the public. It can be said as an irony of the revolution.

Zhou YongKang, a former member of Politburo Standing Committee, was caught by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive. The "critical disciplinary violations" committed by Zhou are known to be related to acceptance of bribery and attempt to coup the current government. His followers who took profits depending on Zhou’s power are collapsing together. It is unprecedented for the Chinese government to punish a member of Politburo Standing Committee on charges of corruption. As President Xi embarked "tiger hunting," the public’s expectations on the constitutionalism seem to be heightened. Quite a number of politicians with power may be worried over the wealth accumulated in unjust ways.