To all those repeating the "lifted millions out of poverty" trope: "By the time Mao died in 1976, living standards for the population were lower than in 1949". The Communist Party calls 1949 a liberation. But China was far freer beforehand.

To all those repeating the "lifted millions out of poverty" trope: "By the time Mao died in 1976, living standards for the population were lower than in 1949". The Communist Party calls 1949 a liberation. But China was far freer beforehand. https://t.co/dWsoQhybaC

— Jonathan Eyal (@JEyal_RUSI) October 3, 2019