Socialism has never worked you say?

I'm so sick of here. "Well every time socialism has been used it's utterly failed!" No, not at all. And thats why I decided to make this list of socialist revolutionaries and leaders who put socialism and it's variants to use and worked. Also I wanted to highlight more unknown leaders, as sadly they are swept under the rig and replaces with people like Stalin, Mao and Kim Jong Il. This was also inspired by the video "Socialism has never worked?," where i'm getting a lot of info from.

Louis Charles Delescluze- Charles Delescluze was the leader of the Paris Commune. In 1871 Paris citizens tired with the government overthrew the authority and established the first socialist state in history. Lasting for only 2 and a half months it accomplished a great deal. Establishing a separation of church and state and a 8 hour workday, with more radical ideas such as workers self management over deserted businesses, the takeover of hotels for refugees and the return of pawned items to the working class. But probably it's crowning achievement was it's participatory democracy, in which delegates of the commune would be required to represent the will of their communities, and could be recalled at anytime with a vote. Not to mention the communities themselves were largely autonomous and could organize themselves as they see fit. But sadly this all ended when the french army crushed the commune on what is known as the bloody week. Around 10 thousand to 20 thousand were killed by the french army, including Delescluze. But even with this it showed that the working class can work together for a better society, and became the inspiration for revolutions to come. A long with being the inspiration for the song "The Internationale" which has since become the unofficial anthem of multiple left wing movements around the world.

Gyorgy Lukcas- Lukcas was a marxist philosopher, commissar for the Hungarian Red Army, and Minister of Culture for the Hungarian Soviet Republic. After the end of WW1 the party of communists of Hungary with support of the people formed a governing coalition called the Revolutionary Governing Council. Decreeing the abolition of aristocratic titles and privileges, the separation of church and state, freedom of speech and assembly and the implementation of free education, language, and cultural rights to minorities. They also nationalized and industrialized commercial enterprises, along with socialized housing, transport, banking, medicine, cultural institutions and all landholdings more than 40 hectares. But it had no allies, not even the Russian SFSR, even then they decided to fight for their lost territory in Romania, which ended up with a trade but double crossing by the entente powers. The soviet republic then tried to take the land by force, but failed setting the stage for Romania to invade. After the invasion the rest of the communist government went into exile, most being purged by stalin latter on, except for Lukcas who stayed in Hungary and led the underground communist movement all the way till then end of WW2. And remained a prominent figure in hungary till his death in 1971.

Rosa Luxemburg- Rosa Luxemburg was the founder of the German Communist party and helped led the Spartacist Uprising along with Karl Liebknecht. While never leading a government she has become a symbol of socialism and that mainly of the communist controlled areas during the german revolution. The Separatist League declared these areas as the Free Socialist Republic of Germany, Revolutionary councils were elected to represent the people but parties such as SPD and USPD refused to take part in them. In 1919 the KDP organized strikes across Berlin which became known as the Spartacist Uprising, initially she was against this, wanting the KDP to take place in the upcoming elections. But she changer her mind after seeing the direction of which the Uprising was going in. They seized building across the capital and engaged with the army, the government soon sent in Freikorps (Anti Republican Paramilitary organization) to attack the workers. Due to the Freikorps having leftover weapons from WW1, they easily too back the buildings killing 156 civilians. Liebkenecht and Luxemburg  being 2 of the victims, with Luxemburg's body being thrown into the Landwehr Canal. But even after this the revolution continued and council republics were declared, but time and time again put down by the freikorps, with around 400 innocent people in total killed. 

Nestor Makhno- Makhno was the military leader of the Revolutionary  Insurrection Army of the Ukraine (Mostly known as the Black Amry) during the Russian Civil War. The Black army defended an area known as the "Free Territory of Ukraine" which was based on Anarcho-Communist principles. Founded in 1918 it started with about 15 thousand troops, and by the end of they year it expanded to 100 thousand.  With protection the Free Territory created a society based on Co-operation with no state power, no politicians, and subsequently no concept of property, calling for freedom of speech, press, assembly, and unions. The Makhnovists supported worker-peasant Soviets and opposed centralized power. Returning power directly to the workers. In the soviets all parties and groups could participate, with the extent that these parties were elected delegates from worker, peasant or militia councils. In the Beginning the Bolsheviks sided with them, seeing them as an experiment and means to spread the victory of communism, except for Trotsky, who organized the invasion an invasion in 1919 and would continue till 1921 when the strength of the White and red army was too much to bare. Makhno escaped to romania then to France where he died, the Makhnovists would have a presence till the 1940's even fighting in WW2.

Kim Chwa-Chin- Kim was a korea General who defended the Autonomous Shinmin Region from the Japanese Empire. The Autonomous region was founded by the korea Anarchist Federation and they chose Kim as the man to lead it's armed forces. The decentralized, federative structure adopted consisted of village councils, district councils and area councils. All of which operated in a cooperative manner to deal with agriculture, education, finance and other issues. But like the Free Territory it was stuck between two enemies, the Chinese Soviet Republic led by Mao Zedong and the Japanese empire, who wanted Korea to themselves. Kim himself took part in the regions daily life and was killed by an assassin while repairing a rice mill. After this the force of both the Japanese and Chinese was too much and the KAF went underground, but today Kim is seen as a hero by both North and South Korea. (Also not much more is known about this region due to the lack of translated documents and suppression by the Chinese and Japanese.)

Buenaventura Durruti- Durruti was a CNT-FAi militant Leader who fought in the Spanish Civil War. Although being killed on early in the war he became a major symbol for the anarcho Syndicalist movement and the Republicans in general. After the failed coup agains the republic a social revolution began in republican areas, mainly in the provinces of the Aragon, Andalusia, parts Valencian Community, and especially Catalonia. Where much of the economy was put under worker control, in Catalonia it was more then 75 percent. Factories would be ran through workers committees, agrarian areas were collectivized and ran as communes. Even places like hotels, barber shops and restaurants were collectivized to be ran by the workers. In anarchist ran areas it was ran on the idea of "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." And in some places money was completely done away with and replaced with labor vouchers. Sources attest that industrial productivity doubled almost everywhere across the nation and agriculture yields increased by as much as 50 percent as a result of the new methods. Along with the economic revolution came a cultural revolution, women could have abortions and the idea of free love and homosexual relationships became normal and allowed. But the biggest problem facing the revolution was the nationalist forces, with a lack o0f aid  by both the USSR and western nations it wasn't long till the republic fell to the nationalist forces that were backed by Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Fascist Portugal. After the end and the takeover of Franco began the White terror a period from 1939 to 1975 where an estimated 400 thousand were killed. 

Josip Broz Tito- Tito was the leader of the Yugoslav Partisans in WW2 and latter the president of Yugoslavia till his death in 1980. The Yugoslav partisans were actually one of the most effective fighting forces against the axis in the second world war, liberating their nation with minimal outside support. By around 1944 most of Yugoslavia was liberated except for strongholds such as Belgrade, Zagreb and Slovenia which was annexed by the Axis Powers. With assistance by the red army, Belgrade was liberated by the end of the year, and by 1945 the partisans numbers were over 800 thousand. After the war Tito was made President and after a few years split from Stalin's Eastern Block, fearing his nations independence would be compromised if he stayed. After fixing relations with the west and east Tito adopted a form of Market Socialism, which would be known as Titoism. Ending with Yugoslavia having the highest living standard in all of eastern europe, and rivaled wester european nations like Portugal. After his death in 1980 Yugoslavs were devastated, amidst a football game, the crowd heard the announcement being shown to be visibly shocked. Then in the middle of cry's and shock began the chant "Comrade Tito we swear to you, from your path we will never depart!" His funeral is and was for the time the largest state funeral in history. With hundred of leaders from both sides of the cold war paying tribute to the marshal. Notably absent was Jimmy Carter, who was criticized by even the republicans. But more then leaders were the shear amount of Yugoslavs mourning, as at that time everything seemed to have stopped. Despite his death the Yugoslavs carried on and adopted the policy of "After Tito," implying his legacy would carry on. While successful as it was things began to deteriorate after Ronald Reagan specifically targeted Yugoslavia in the mid 80's and advocated for a "Quite revolution" to overthrow the government, mostly by aiding far right nationalist groups to press for nationalistic reform or complete secession. And when George H W bush cut ties with Yugoslavia it was the final nail in it's coffin, beginning the bloody Yugoslav wars, splitting the nation and ending socialism in Yugoslavia. But even today former citizens still feel fond about Yugoslavia and have what is called "Yugo-nostalgia" and the phrase. "Yugoslavia and Tito again."

Imre Nagy- Imre was the leader of Hungary during the Revolution of 1956. Originally serving for two year's as the chairman of the council of ministers if the peoples republic of Hungary he fell out of favor with the soviets and created a "New Course" for socialism. And during the 56' revolution he was put back in place by poplar demand, and quickly announced hungary's withdrawal from the warsaw pact and tried to gain international support such as Tito in Yugoslavia. But still he remained steadfast in his marxist beliefs, saying that "Marxism is a science that cannot remain static." And called the soviet system "Rigid dogmatism" and "A Stalinistic Monopoly." Throughout Hungary evolutionary councils were formed and were supported by the government as autonomous democratic local organs. Along with workers councils in industrial pants, mines and many unpopular regulations were done away with. Thus creating an socialist economy free of rigid party control. For the Soviets this was a big NO NO. And in retaliation they crushed the revolution and placed Janos Kandar in power, killing around 3 thousand hungarians and started the beginning of 30 years of political suppression. Nagy tried to escape to Yugoslavia via the embassy but was arrested anyways and was sentenced to death. 

E.M.S Namboodiripd- E.M.S was the first Chief Minister of the Indian State of Kerala and was the founder of the Communist Party of India. The Communist party was voted into majority in the states first elections in 1957, making him the first communist leader in India to head a popularly elected government. And also made it one of the earliest elected Communist governments since the Sammarinese Communist Party in San Marino in 1945. After the introduction of a Land Reform Ordinance and education bill, the opposition broke out into open struggle and statewide violence against the government machinery and institutions. This cumulated when Indira Gandhi convinced Prime Minister Neru to dismiss the democratically elected government in 1959 and place it under presidential control. But sadly to them E.M.S was re-elected. In response they forced him out of government again. But despite this the Communist party (M) has retained power for nearly 50 years.And thanks to land reforms in the 60's and 70's the far left governments have had a lasting impact in the state, which has some of the highest human development indexes in India. Kerala also now has the lowest positive population growth in India, the highest Human Development Index, Highest Literacy Rate, Highest Life Expectancy, and Highest Sex Ratio, being the only state where women outnumber men.  

Alexander Dubcek- Alexander Dubcek was a Czechoslovakian politician that initiated the Prague Spring in the 60's. After 20 years of being a soviet satellite, Dubcek came to power with the promise of a new system known as "Socialism with a human face." Promising reforms within the socialist system, becoming popular at home and abroad. Launching the "Action Programme," including things like increased free speech, and freedom of movement, with economic emphasis on consumer goods, limits on the secret police, and possibility of a multiparty government. Also included a foreign policy based on maintaining good ties with both western nations and easter bloc nations. And planned a 10 year transition to which open democratic elections would take place. Fearing another Hungary the Warsaw pact invaded, except for Romania and Albania. Dubcek was expelled from the communist party and the reforms of the Prague Spring were un done. But Dubcke would return in the 90's to help lead the Velvet Revolution in which the communist government of Czechoslovakia was peacefully overthrown, and he was made president of Czechoslovakia once more.
 
Salvador Allende- Allende was the 29th president of Chile and first communist to be elected in Latin America. In 1970 his Unidad Popular party secured majority vote and Allende was elected to the presidency, much to the dismay of the USA which tried it's best to prevent him from winning. He referred to his policies as "The Chilean Road to Socialism," which consisted of nationalization of large scale industries such as copper, the healthcare system, reforming the eduction system, a free milk program for children, and land redistribution. With this it achieved economic growth, reductions in inflation and unemployment, a redistribution of income, and an increase in consumption. The government also increased salaries and wages, reduced taxes, and introduced free distribution of some items of prime necessity. Pensions were also increased for widows, invalids, orphans, and the elderly, the national milk plan affected 50% of Chilean Children in 1970, providing half a litre of milk every day, free of charge. Allende also improved the socio economic welfare of Chile's poorest Citizens, key to this was providing employment, wither in new nationalized industry or via publics works. The economic results were unambiguously favorable, 12% industrial growth, a 8.6 increase in GDP, and a major decline in Chiles long lasting chronic inflation (Down from 34.9% to 22.1%) and unemployment down to 3.8%. But behind his back the US government and Chiles corporate and Military elite conspired to sabotage Allende's reforms and destroy the economy. Even though the policies were successful, Chile needed foreign loans to survive, so the Nixon administration got the IMF to suspend all aid. As well business owners began to hoard food and other necessities. Then thing turned way for the worse, as on 9/11 1973 the Chilean army committed a Coup lead by the General Agusto Pinochet, Allende not wanting to surrender to them took his own life instead. What followed was a 17 year military Junta in which over 10 thousand dissidents were tortured and tens of thousands were tortured.    

France Albert Rene- Rene was the President of Seychelles for 27 years since he launched a coup in 1977. After taking power a portion of the population fled to south africa and the UK in fear of repression, and tried their best to overthrow Rene, but were unsuccessful. During his presidency Rene was well respected and for good reasons. He turned Seychelles from a poverty stricken county to a middle income well governed state with universal heath care and a 90% literacy rate. As well as making it the most developed nation in africa as measured by the Human development index and helped build one of the continents highest gross domestic products per capita. Including a decrease in infant mortality, and illiteracy. And managed to avoid any violent political climate such as in Madagascar. His popularity as well allowed him to win all elections from 1979 to 2001 where in 2004 he stepped down but continued to lead the Seychelles Peoples Progressive Front. 

Heng Samrin- Heng was the leader of the Kampuchean United Front for national Salvation (Known as FUNSK) and first president of the People Republic of Kampuchea. Originally a member of the Khmer Rouge he became dismayed once he saw the horrific acts by the government of "Democratic" Kampuchea. Being a military commander he get in contact with the Vietnamese and other Kampuchean's who managed to defect, after learning of this Pol Pot ordered his forces be killed. But it wasn't long till Vietnam help launch an invasion of Kampuchea with the defected Kampuchean's known as the FUNSK rebels. 20 thousand FUNSK rebelled managed to topple the government of Pol Pot in less than 2 weeks. As the nation was liberated the FUNSK ranks grew twice in size as they were well liked by the people.But despite liberating the nation few states all be it from the USSR and Vietnam recognized the PRK, instead Democratic Kampuchea was still recognized and continued to wage war on the Thai border. In a mere 10 years the PRK restored much of Kampuchea to it's pre war standards of living, returning people to cities, ending the famine the Khmer Rouge started, and educating the youth of the country despite the Khmer Rouges purges of teachers. When it was established there were no police, schools, books, hospitals post and telecommunications, legal system and no commercial networks. All changed Under Heng leadership. And the PRK also importantly restored the idea of Communism for the Kampuchean people. But with the fall of global socialism in the 90's it had two options, give concessions to the west or starve like North Korea and fall to the Khmer Rouge once more. Heng Stepped down and the monarchy was restored at appease the west, ending socialism in Kampuchea. Today now completely retired from politics he's still seen as a hero and named "The man of the people," monuments still stand honoring the FUNSK rebels and the the days of the PRK are fondly remembered. 

Maurice Bishop- Maurice Bishop was a Grenadian revolutionary that led an armed revolution against the dictatorship of Eric Gairy and replaced it with a Peoples Revolutionary Government. In 1979 the New JEWEL Movement formed the National Liberation Army which sized military barracks, radio stations, government buildings and police stations across the nation. With this success the PRG established close ties with Cuba and with Cuban assistance built a large international airport. The PRG also improved the condition of Women, housing development and rehabilitation, supported creation of agricultural and worker cooperatives, massive growth in university scholarships, expansion of adult education and literacy, and infrastructure development such as rural road networks. Grenada's per income was $870 in 82' making it 10th in per capita income among english speaking caribbean nations, about 38 percent of Grenadian's now had access to pipe drawn water, unemployment went from 49% to 14%, the economy also grew 5.5% in 1982, and real wages increased by 3%. Even though only being a tiny island nation of 100 thousand people the US still saw it as a threat as it followed the example of Cuba. And to make an example to prevent revolutions the US invaded without telling congress add mist a coup. Even though of the lasting US influence Bishop today is still a beloved figure, and the airport he helped create with Cuban funds was re named in his honor in 2009.

Thomas Sankara- Thomas Sankara was a marxist revolutionary and president of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987. After sizing power in a popular supported coup he had the goal of eliminating corruption and dominance of the former french colonial power center stage. To symbolize the new rebirth of the nation he renamed the country from the French Upper Volta to Burkina Faso (The land of Upright Man) With a focus on anti imperialism he eschewed all foreign aid, pushing for odious debt reduction, nationalizing all land and mineral wealth, and averting the power and influence of the IMF and World Bank. Domestic wise he focused on preventing famine with agrarian self sufficiency and land reform, prioritizing education with a nation wide literacy campaing, and promoting public health by vaccinating 2.5 million children against meningitis, yellow fever and measles. Other plans included planting millions of tree seeds to halt desertification. As well as doubling wheat production by redistributing from feudal landlords to peasants, suspending rural poll taxes and domestic rents, and establishing a road and rail construction program to "tie the nation together." Locally Sankara called on every village to build a medical dispensary, and had well over 350 communities constructed schools with their own labor. And moreover his commitment to women's rights led him to ban FGM, forced marriages and Polygamy, while appointing women to high governmental positions and encouraging them to work outside the home and stay ins school even if pregnant. But with help of Trial leaders and the French government and Ivory Coast he was assassinated and his friend took over reverting much of what Sankara made. Today he's still a popular figure in africa and Burkina Faso, now commonly referred to as "Africa's Che Guevara."

Subcomandante Marcos- Marcos was one of the leaders of and spokes person of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). The Zapatista's began uprising agains the mexican government in 1994' in response to the implementation of NAFTA. After 12 days a cease fire was called and peace talks began. Since 1994 it's been in a declared war against the Mexican government and military, paramilitary and corporate incursions into Chiapas. In 1996' the Zapatista's and Mexican government game to an agreement with the San Andres Accords, which granted autonomy, recognition, and rights to the indigenous population of Mexico. They now control small territories called Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities, which function outside Mexican law. Known as MAREZ, these territories are coordinated by autonomous Councils and their main objectives have been to promote education and health in their territories. They also fight for land rights, labor and trade, housing, and fuel-supply issues, promote arts, and administering justice. In 2014 Marcos announced his last public appearance, but the Zapatista's live on. 

Hugo Chavez- Hugo Chavez was a military officer and President of Venezuela from 2002 to 2013. Founder of the United Socialist Party he sought to bright what he called "Socialism in the 21st century," this included doing away with much of the former Neo Liberal government ideas for a more socialist economy. After he came to power and with the help of an oil boom Venezuela's GDP per capita skyrocketed from $4105 in 1999 to $10810 in 2011, extreme poverty went from 18% to 9.8%, and unemployment dropped from 14.5% to 7.6%. Before Chavez the Neo liberal governments policies along with low oil prices left the GDP abysmal. After his death and accumulation of low oil prices and sabotaging by the US has destabilized Venezuela much like Chile had been in the 70's. We can only have hope we don't see a Pinochet 2.0

Evo Morales- Evo Morales is the president of Bolivia, taking power in 2006 and leader of the movement for socialism. Since his election GDP per capita has gone up from $3000 to $3600 with an average annual percent change of about 3%, extreme poverty has decreased from 37.7% to 18.8%, inflation has fallen from 11.5% to 6.3%. Including an emphasis of native rights and native culture.  As well as a re-nationalization of water distribution. With Morales ideas being as popular as they are it is hopeful that the damage done by neo liberal conservatives will soon be unnoticeable by the next decade. 

Salhi Muslim Muhammad- Salhi is the co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, the driving force behind the Kurdish state of Rojava in North Syria. After gaining autonomy in 2013 it's now apart f the ongoing Rojava conflict, establishing a society based on direct democracy, gender equality and sustainability. Inspire by Democratic Confederalism and Communalism. It is also influenced by anarchist and libertarian principles with much of the emphasis being on local management, with regions divided into cantons with democratically elected committees to make decisions. The laws restricting independent political organizations, women's freedom, religious and cultural expression and the discriminatory policies carried out by the Assad regimes have been abolished. In it's place is a constitution guaranteeing political, religious, and cultural freedom to all people. And also explicitly state the equal rights and freedom of women and also mandates public institutions to work towards the elimination of gender discrimination. The economy is a blend of Private companies, the autonomous administration and worker cooperatives. The majority of the economy goes to forces fighting the Assad regime and Islamist forces, and on occasion Turkish forces. Before the revolution the regime kept Rojava intentionally de industrialized to keep it dependent on the south, since then efforts are being made to transition to a self sufficient economy based on worker and producer cooperatives. We can only hope this revolution is successful in pushing back all forces against it. 

Well shit... that was a lot of typing... but I hope you found this informative and helpful, if it did cool! If it didn't then ok :/ it's your opinion. Bit stupid but still, so next time you hear the phrase "SOCIALISM HAS FAILED EVERY TIME!!!" Give them this. 

Also check out this stamp made by the Lovely Akhnaton-II and is in reference to this piece.