But they are both wrong and that needs to be pointed out. The US is not bad because of democracy. Uncritical embrace of capitalism plays a bigger role.

Likewise China is not bad because of socialism. Dictatorship is a the key reason China is bad. Each side is being disingenous.

As a social democrat I think it is important to hold both sides accountable. I want to champion democracy, socialism and free market economics all at the same time.

CCP apologists want to present dictatorship as a key reason China has been successful. I would rather say it combination of capitalist and socialist policiese have worked quite well in economic terms.

Ditto I think Americans often give capitalism more credit than it should be given when a lot of success stems from having a democracy, freedom and importing many of the best minds from all over the world combined with an abundance of natural resources.