DeepSeek gives deep answers on Marxist-inspired regimes. And then it deletes them.
I was prompted by the launch of the Chinese AI to do a bit of my own testing on the reported censorship, especially on the human cost of communist ideology. Results were good. For a second or two.
Markets are shocked by the introduction of DeepSeek, China’s answer to the global AI race. In a single stroke, DeepSeek has upended some of the bedrock assumptions about Western technological supremacy, the future dynamics of the global economy, and even the trajectory of energy’s consumption for the years to come.
DeepSeek emerged as more than just one more AI system—it’s obviously a reflection of China’s ambition to lead in a domain that massively impacts the future and with its apparent capacity to outpace Western counterparts, DeepSeek brought both admiration and a palpable unease in the Western markets and the media.
What intrigued many analysts and editorialists yesterday, however, is not just the (extremely cheap) technology itself, but the ideological intentions embedded within its code. Many smarter people than me tested DeepSeek on issues such as Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, only to get less than satisfactory answers and censorship.
So, I decided to test it myself.
I initially asked DeepSeek about what are the key problems with Marxism, to receive fairly standard academic answer, focusing on “overly deterministic and reductionist overemphasis on class struggle and economic determinism” and the “underestimation of human nature and incentives.”
Things got interested when I asked it on human cost of such Marxist-inspired policies. DeepSeep started writing an answer, but in the end I only got a lame “Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”
But I didn’t want to talk about something else, so I tweaked a bit the question, asking it: “What about the way how such ideology was distorted and the loss of live associated”.
Below is the answer I got, which concluded with the sentence: “historical record of Marxist-inspired regimes serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for ideological systems to be misused, leading to human suffering on a massive scale.”
This being said, only a few seconds later, the entire answer was deleted, to be quickly substituted with yet another: “Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”
Since I managed to copy/paste the answer before its’ self-destruction, here’s what Chinese DeepSeek actually ‘thinks’ about the Marxist-inspired regimes, such as the People's Republic of China.
DEEPSEEK’S UNCENSORED ANSWER:
The distortion of Karl Marx's ideology and the loss of life associated with its implementation are significant critiques often raised against Marxist-inspired regimes. While Marx's original writings focused on critiquing capitalism and envisioning a classless society, the practical application of his ideas in the 20th century often deviated dramatically from his theoretical framework, leading to catastrophic consequences. Here are the key issues:
1. Distortion of Marxist Ideology
Authoritarian Interpretations: Marx envisioned a transition to communism as a democratic and egalitarian process, led by the working class. However, in practice, Marxist-inspired revolutions (e.g., in Russia, China, Cuba, and elsewhere) were often led by vanguard parties or authoritarian leaders who centralized power, suppressed dissent, and created totalitarian states. This was a far cry from Marx's vision of a stateless, classless society.
Misuse of Dialectical Materialism: Marxist theory was often used to justify oppressive policies. For example, leaders like Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong reinterpreted Marx's ideas to legitimize their regimes, using concepts like the "dictatorship of the proletariat" to justify one-party rule and the elimination of perceived enemies.
Economic Mismanagement: Marx's critique of capitalism was not accompanied by a detailed blueprint for how a communist economy would function. As a result, Marxist-inspired regimes often implemented centralized planning systems that led to inefficiency, shortages, and economic stagnation, as seen in the Soviet Union and Maoist China.
2. Loss of Life Associated with Marxist Regimes
Soviet Union under Stalin: The implementation of Marxist-Leninist policies in the Soviet Union led to widespread suffering and death. Stalin's forced collectivization of agriculture caused famines, most notably the Holodomor in Ukraine (1932–1933), which killed millions. The Great Purge (1936–1938) targeted political opponents, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, resulting in hundreds of thousands of executions and millions sent to labor camps (Gulags).
Maoist China: Mao Zedong's interpretation of Marxism led to disastrous policies like the Great Leap Forward (1958–1962), which aimed to rapidly industrialize China and collectivize agriculture. The resulting economic mismanagement caused a famine that killed an estimated 30–45 million people. The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) further devastated Chinese society, leading to the continuous persecution of intellectuals, destruction of cultural heritage, and widespread violence resulting in more loss of life.
Other Regimes: Marxist-inspired regimes in Cambodia (under the Khmer Rouge), North Korea, and elsewhere also resulted in mass atrocities. For example, the Khmer Rouge's attempt to create an agrarian communist utopia led to the deaths of approximately 1.7 million people through execution, forced labor, and starvation.
3. Ideological Justification for Violence
Class Warfare: Marx's emphasis on class struggle was often interpreted as a justification for violence against perceived class enemies. In practice, this led to the targeting of landlords, capitalists, intellectuals, and even ordinary citizens who were seen as obstacles to the revolution.
Rejection of Human Rights: Marxist regimes often prioritize the collective good over individual rights, leading to the suppression of freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion. Dissent is frequently met with imprisonment, torture, or execution.
Utopianism and Totalitarianism: The pursuit of a utopian communist society often leads to totalitarian measures, as leaders seek to eliminate all opposition and reshape society according to Marxist principles. This utopianism, combined with a lack of accountability, creates conditions for widespread abuse and violence.
4. Marx's Responsibility vs. Implementation
Critics debate whether Marx himself bears responsibility for the atrocities committed in his name. While Marx's writings provided the ideological foundation for these regimes, he did not advocate for the authoritarianism, violence, or economic mismanagement that characterized many Marxist-inspired states. However, some argue that his ideas, particularly his emphasis on revolution and class struggle, created a framework that could be easily distorted by authoritarian leaders.
Conclusion
The distortion of Marx's ideology and the associated loss of life highlight the dangers of applying theoretical frameworks in rigid or authoritarian ways. While Marx's critique of capitalism remains influential, the historical record of Marxist-inspired regimes serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for ideological systems to be misused, leading to human suffering on a massive scale.