Red rule

In response to Paul Brownsey (Letters, 16 October), the communist countries of Eastern Europe applied Marxism the only way that it can be applied: by imposing totalitarian rule.

Marx called for a “dictatorship of the proletariat” and, since no such thing is possible, dictatorship by a ruling clique was put in place.

The cancellation of private property – the hallmark of socialism – is dictatorial, by definition.

Bruce Crichton

Victoria Road

Stirling