Communism

Communism is a pre-War, far-left ideology, advocating communal, rather than private ownership of the means of production, and an economy that works according to people's needs, rather than a desire for profits.Britannica definition Adherents of communism are called communists. Their enemies will frequently refer to them as commies,Wastewater treatment plant terminal entries; manager's terminal, Reply from City Treasurer: "Listen here you pinko Commie-eyed puke, I got your lily-livered defeatest e-mails. I ignored them because they made me THROW UP IN MY MOUTH! Do you understand we're fighting a war here?! Against the REDS? And the only thing standing between you and hot atomic Armageddon is ME and my base full of GIANT NUCLEAR MISSILES? Answer me this, Specialist Buttinski: if the American people are overrun by Kremlin Joe and his Chicom cronies, what good will clean drinking water be?Commander Devlin" Reds, and pinkos. It is sometimes conflated with socialism.A Vault Dweller: "[Perception] The world's over. What use is money? Why not just give me a robot?"Skinner: " But I could see providing you a discount."(Skinner's dialogue)A Vault Dweller: "[Intelligence+5] Was it saying 'kilograms'?"Construction worker: ""(Construction worker's dialogue) In the Fallout world, the most prominent communist nation was China, a participant in the eventual Great War, though the Soviet Union also still existed by 2077.
==Ideology==
By the 21st century, the principal current of communist thought was Maoism.I Married a Maoist Rooted in dialectical materialism,Comrade Collectron: "This camp's dialectical materialism rating is insufficient. Filing report. You must work harder, comrade."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue)Communist Salute description: "A salute to show you understand dialectical materialism. All those who do not salute in return should be noted and reported." communism saw capitalism as an inferior economic philosophy,Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) reducing workers to slavery. Breaking these shackles was not just a matter of liberation,Communist sympathizer: "Capitalism is slavery! These shackles will be broken!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) but also self-defense: The only way for humans to survive was to crush capitalism, before humanity was crushed by it.Comrade Collectron: "Crush Capitalism before it crushes you."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) 
Class struggleCommunist sympathizer: "The class struggle is unleashed!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) between the proletariat and the capitalists was essential to achieving this goal. The proletariat - common people who have to trade their labor for wages and with limited wealth - would be unified under the leadership of communists into a vast collective, and confront the capitalists,Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Comrade Collectron: "We are the collective. We are the party. We are legion. Our time is now. For the proletariat."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) with the goals of securing control of the means of production (factories, tools, land etc.)Communist sympathizer: "Workers must control the means of production!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) and becoming the sole source of political power.Communist sympathizer: "The workers will be the seat of all political power!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) Capitalists, the bourgeoisie controlling the economy and the government,Comrade Collectron: "This land is filled with the filth of the bourgeoisie. It must be cleansed."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) were seen as inherently untrustworthy,Comrade Collectron: "The only capitalist that can be trusted is a dead capitalist."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) with their wealth was a greedy mask hiding fascism.Comrade Collectron: "Wealth is a greedy mask that hides fascism."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) 
Communist thought did not reject violence or warfare, as long as it was used in service to the cause. Class warCommunist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) was a valid form of struggle, with any and all defenders of capitalism legitimate targets, considered puppets of their capitalist masters.Communist sympathizer: "Will you die for your capitalist masters?"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: "Dance, puppet, dance."(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: "Where are your paymasters now?"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) Eliminating capitalistsCommunist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) and the bourgeoisieCommunist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) was simply the wrath of the workers,Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) and the means to crushing the capitalist systemCommunist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) and erasing the beliefs that led to its formation.Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: "Capitalist threat neutralized."(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) There was a moral aspect to it: Anyone defending capitalism was considered cowardly,Communist sympathizer: "Threat level cleared. Capitalist cowardice documented."(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) serving only due to monetary benefits,Communist sympathizer: "Target lost. Probability of fleeing back to corporate paymasters: 100 percent."(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) and treated with contempt as capitalist dogs.Communist sympathizer: "No capitalist dogs detected."(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: ""(Communist sympathizer's dialogue)
This idea of class war envisioned a mass rise of a class-conscious proletariat,Communist sympathizer: "The rise of the proletariat is inevitable!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) an unstoppable red waveCommunist sympathizer: "The red wave will not be stopped!"(Communist sympathizer's dialogue) leading to victory over capitalism. The power of the proletariatComrade Collectron: "This unit has been assigned with the task of spreading the power of the proletariat." would result in nations united under the red banner of the worker's partyComrade Collectron: "This unit will not rest until this land beats the crimson red blood of the worker's party."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) under the dictatorship of the proletariat.Comrade Collectron: "Liberty is a farce. The dictatorship of the proletariat is not an idea, it is truth."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) The end of the class war would lead to the establishment of a worker's paradise,Communist sympathizer: "Class war complete. Establishing worker's paradise."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) with workers free of their bonds,Communist sympathizer: "No hostiles detected. Worker unshackling protocol activated."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) enjoying full sovereigntyCommunist sympathizer: "Action complete. Returning power to the workers."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) and with the military under their control protecting, rather than repressing the working class.Communist sympathizer: "Zero threats detected. Resuming protection of the working class."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue)Communist sympathizer: ""(Comrade Collectron's dialogue)
This struggle was considered never-ending,Comrade Collectron: "We are the proletariat. Our work is never finished."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) and all communists were expected to work towards their common goal.Comrade Collectron: "Back to work now, comrade."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) One key issue was the conflation of the party with the working class and the revolution, rather than considering the former in service to the other. This led to considering enemies of the party to be enemies of the working class by default,Communist sympathizer: ""(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) which extended to threats to party unityCommunist sympathizer: ""(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) and dissension in the ranks.Communist sympathizer: ""(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) Until the communist party was safe, nobody would be safe.Communist sympathizer: "Canceling alert status. The party is safe again."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) As such, everyone was expected to remain on the lookout for counter-revolutionary values,Comrade Collectron: "Scanning for counter-revolutionary values... Results: several."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) particularly "rightist deviant materials,"Comrade Collectron: "This camp contains several elements identified as... rightist deviant materials. Filing report."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) and confiscate them.Comrade Collectron: "Deviant materials will be confiscated."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) Anything approved by the party was, naturally, non-deviant.Communist spy outfit: "Learn the secrets of the bourgeoisie by going fashionably under cover. And rejoice: all styles have been approved as non-deviant by the Party."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) Sacrifice was expected in general, up to and including giving up one's life for the cause.Chinese Intelligence bunker terminal entries; extraction terminal, Extraction Debriefing: "You have done well to get this far, Agent Jiang. Your payment has been transacted to your next of kin under the pre-text of a ration lottery.With deepest regret, however, your life must now be terminated for the good of the People's Republic. Go with dignity, honorable soldier!" 
Despite being a materialist philosophy, communism in its 21st century form exhibited some metaphysical properties: Prosperity would be achieved thanks to the "sun of communism,"Comrade Collectron: "This camp grows under the sun of communism."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue) and the "will of the people" was invoked as a good wish for eg. field agents.Espionage debriefing: "The will of the People protect you, Agent Jiang." Communists rejected deities, however, considering them a cultural imposition.Communist sympathizer: "Are you prepared to meet your culturally imposed deity?"(Comrade Collectron's dialogue)
===Ideological struggles===
In the 21st century, the People's Republic of China was a Communist superpower, ideologically opposed to the capitalist United States of America. The US was seen as an oligarchy, controlled by a wealthy elite, the "Wall Street gang," which instigated the Sino-American War to gain further power, wealth, and influence. American soldiers and the public were pawns in a game of power, who would be abandoned in case of a nuclear war, while the elite would ride out the apocalypse in secure bunkers. The only way for Americans to survive would be to depose them in a revolution,People's Republic of America Radio: """""""""""'' fighting in the name of the communist party. As such, the United States' idea of "liberty" was dismissed as a farce, leading only to imperialism.Comrade Collectron: "This land's idea of liberty leads only to imperialism. See through the lies, comrade. Fight for the party."(Comrade Collectron's dialogue)
The fear of infiltration, land invasion, and eventual revolution (or nuclear annihilation)Evacuation plan fueled paranoia among the ruling classes, which bankrolled an intense propaganda campaign to discredit communism in particular and all left-wing thought in general. The official dictionary definition of communism in America was that it was a form of government in which the state controlled everything and freedom was non-existent,Liberty Prime: "Accessing dictionary database. Entry: communism. A form of government in which the state controls everything, and people are denied... freedom." juxtaposed with the official definition of democracy as a form of government where the leader is chosen by vote and everyone theoretically has equal rights.Liberty Prime: "Accessing dictionary database. Entry: democracy. A form of government in which the leader is chosen by vote, and everyone has equal rights." Citizens of communist countries were portrayed as dirt-poor, without basic utilities like electricity. The United States meanwhile was simultaneously painted as an unbeatable bastion of freedom, and a scrappy underdog desperately fighting against the Reds, even after the invasion of Mexico, annexation of Canada, and declaration of nationwide martial law in response to food riots.The Sole Survivor: "I was a soldier."Piper Wright: ""The Sole Survivor: "The Reds just kept pushing and pushing. Someone had to stop them."Piper Wright: ""The Sole Survivor: "I was a soldier."Piper Wright: ""The Sole Survivor: "Protecting freedom. The American way of life."Piper Wright: ""(Piper Wright's dialogue) 
Eventually, all left-wing thought became borderline treason, particularly labor unions, considered the first step towards communism.Pioneer Scout Badge Exam answers: "Brendan joined the local labor union. But Brendan was tricked! Because unions are the first step on the road to what?Communism" Left-wing actions, especially aforementioned labor organizing and striking,Sugar Grove terminal entries; project director's terminal, 9-20-77: Grafton Communists: "Sugar Grove IntraMail - 9-20-77From: Hartley, GTo: Gould, WSubj: Grafton CommunistsThe strikes continue in Grafton. Don't these people understand how important steel production is to the war effort? I'd like permission to monitor the situation more closely. It wouldn't surprise me to find a communist or two in the midst of this mess. It's in the Navy's best interest to fix the situation ASAP.We don't even have enough intel to know if whoever's organizing the strikes is the same as the one who sabotaged the mill with whatever was in that powder. You authorize the tools I need, I guarantee I'll get to the bottom of it." were commonly considered criminal acts by the powers-that-be. Workers were subject to terrible conditions and pay, and any agitations for improvements to the situation were branded communist. Union organizers were routinely subjected to surveillance and imprisoned alongside actual communists,Eastern Regional Penitentiary terminal entries; security terminal, Organized Crime: "Prisoners in Cell Block D are for organized crime, including union organizers and Communists. They're all gangs, if you ask me, just as bad as Mad Dog Malone and his kind." usually without trial, using accusations of communism as an excuse.Eastern Regional Penitentiary terminal entries; security terminal, Suspected Communists: "Suspected Communists You might have noticed a surge in the prison population lately. I've heard all your complaints. There's no argument here. Communists are the enemy. And if the government suspects someone is a Communist, then they're a Communist. And where do Communists belong? That's right: prison." The mere fact of having a collectivist belief system was enough to force people into hiding, for fear of denunciation and reprisal.A Vault dweller: "So...if you were raised on a commune, are you a Communist?"Sophie Wagoner: "No, silly! I mean, lots of people think that when they hear about our commune, and how we lived, but it's different. I'm sure you don't want to get into, like, a semantic debate, but it'd be more accurate to say we're collectivists. Pretty funny, though. My grandparents had to go into hiding because people thought they were Communists. Now we're all here redistributing the wealth for the good of the community! Ain't that ironic?"(Sophie Wagoner's dialogue) Eventually, opposing the United States government and corporations in any fashion was enough to be branded a communist and persecuted, both by government agencies and loyalist citizens.Anti-Free States propaganda posters 1, 2, and 3Fallout 76 loading screens: "Most of Appalachia considered the Free States movement to be nothing but political agitators and traitors. After the war, many of these same people would turn to the Free States for help." This was heavily promoted by organizations like the U.S. Center of Anti-American Activities, through funding and production of films such as I Married a Maoist.Narrator: "Meet Lorraine, your average housewife. She loves democracy, her family, and the good old American way."Lorraine: "Hi Mary. I'd love to catch up, but I need to step out if I'm going to have enough time to pick up Junior from his baseball game. Oh, and then I need to also grab groceries and prepare a loving home cooked meal for when Robert gets home."Narrator: "Little did she know what returned home that evening was not her beloved..."Lorraine: "Welcome home, honey. Robert... what seems to be the matter?"Robert: "It's been a hell of a day. You remember John? He got tangled up in one of the machines at the factory today, and and he'll never walk again."Lorraine: "[gasp] That's terrible!"Narrator: "But the terror was just beginning."Robert: "It only happened because the boss had him pulling 80 hour weeks. The boys and I are thinking of talking with the higher-ups about our conditions. If they don't listen, then by golly I don't know what I'll do. Maybe we'll stop working!"Lorraine: "Robert, darling, that sounds like... a protest!"Robert: "Well, what if it is? I think a hardworking American is entitled to fair compensation for a fair day's work! If this system won't work, then maybe we just need to abolish it!"Lorraine: "I-I-I left the stove on. Give me a minute."Narrator: "Run... don't walk to your nearest theater to see every American's worst nightmare."Officer MacArthur: "Officer MacArthur speaking, what's your emergency?"Lorraine: "I think I... I married a Maoist!"Narrator: "Witness what happens when horror comes home! Fear communism like never before when you see the reds in full PanaLuxe color, only in: I Married a Maoist!"Narrator: "[quickly] Paid for and directed by the U.S. Center of Anti-American Activities."(Pirate Radio advertisements)
In the military, any collectivist actions were treated as indication of communist sympathies,Camp McClintock terminal entries; patriotism training terminal: "___INSTRUCTIONS___Jimmy, Topher and Jianjun have been accused of supporting collective action - a gateway drug to Communism. Talk to the suspected traitors, search their rooms, and collect evidence to uncover the budding Communist.TO PASS: Collect evidence of which boy is the budding Communist.NOTE: All cadets must check-in with Master Sergeant in the Admin building before starting the exercise!" and that everyone, even neighbors, friends, and family - should be considered a potential communist and observed accordingly.Camp McClintock terminal entries; patriotism training terminal, Course Results: "___YOU_PASSED!___You figured out that Jimmy was the potential Communist all along!Excellent work! Now get out there and put those Red-sniffing skills to work!Friends, neighbors, family - any one could be a collectivist waiting to strike!" The paranoid tendencies went beyond the military, spreading through every branch of the government, down to technical workers of public utilities, like the DC Transit Authority.RobCo facility terminal entries; RobCo production mainframe, Orientation Guide: "Congratulations on your transferal to the position of ROBOT PROTOCOL OPERATOR! Your trusted co-workers will be the standard Protectron models stationed throughout the facility. "Basic Operation" covers the factory duties of your co-workers, as described in your training manual. "Pest Extermination" encourages your co-workers to track and sanitize any roaches, rodents, or other undesired pests on the premises. "Total Liquidation" removes your co-workers' humanoid safety protocols, and is for use only in the unlikely event of criminal intrusion or communist attack. "Stress Testing" allows you to test the construction quality of recently produced models by setting current workers against each other. We trust you'll find the work simple, rewarding, and extremely safe! Enjoy!" Corporations would also fuel the paranoia, marketing their products using anti-communist sentiments (for example, ArmCo products were sold for "defending American Freedoms from the plague of Communism").ArmCo Ammunition Construction Appliance: "Welcome to the ArmCo Ammuntion Construction Appliance Interface! This Appliance can construct nearly anytime of Ammunition you need!Whether its shooting varmits or defending American Freedoms from the plague of Communism, the ArmCo ACA will always give you the best Bang for your Buck!"
Citizens were encouraged to report suspicious behavior to authorities, and standing orders were to use deadly force when dealing with suspected communist infiltrators, including robots.Mister Gutsy: "Halt! This area is under martial law by order of Provisional Governor Graham! Chinese infiltrators are known to be operating in this area. Please provide proof of your identity. Be advised that I am authorized to use deadly force if you fail to comply."The Sole Survivor: "Go fuck yourself, you crazy robot."Mister Gutsy: "Analyzing... American colloquialism confirmed. Probability of use by Chinese infiltrator... zero-point-three percent. Thank you. Report any suspected Communists to the proper authorities immediately. Have a nice day."(Mister Gutsy's dialogue) Mister Gutsy: "Report suspected Communist infiltrators to the proper authorities.""Move along. This area is under martial law.""Return to your home. Help is on the way."(Mister Gutsy's dialogue) The Sole Survivor: "I'm clearly not an infiltrator."Mister Gutsy: "Seventy-three percent of confirmed Chinese infiltrators denied being infiltrators prior to being apprehended with deadly force. Identity check - failed. Commencing apprehension with deadly force."(Mister Gutsy's dialogue) The rich, such as Frederick Sinclair, also feared a Communist attack on the contiguous United States, stockpiling supplies and materiel in case of an invasion, and preparing nuclear shelters in case of armageddon.Dead Money loading screens: "The reason for the mines, heavy weapons, and other military gear in the casino's security centers is unknown. Some speculate Sinclair feared a Chinese attack on American soil."Sierra Madre Casino & Resort terminal entries; hologram control, Mr. Sinclair - E.B.E: "Mr. Sinclair,I took the points you raised in the call today to heart, and I hope my answers offered some reassurance. What we are providing is an exclusive, comprehensive technology, but more importantly, we want to address the concern you raised for protecting your guests from threats, specifically the growing communist threat from the Chinese.Security is N.E.'s top concern. There is no reason to provide a service that you cannot defend, and should the current world situation lead to increased hostilities, an Emergency Broadcast Emitter has been placed inside select hologram emitters at the Sierra Madre. In case of nuclear attack, holograms will defend their stations with lethal force to protect the guests under their charge.If you wish to make sure that those who come to your Villa and casino have the means to defend themselves, I assure you, you need look no further than the E.B.E., it is a proven technology, and anyone who decides to attack you or your guests will regret any aggression.Martin T. HarrisP.S. Any chance we could ask you to have Ms Keyes sign an autograph for us? It won't reduce the price, although I could see about sending a few extra systems your way."Sierra Madre Casino & Resort terminal entries; security office terminal, Security Measure Meeting: "Security Measure meetingSince you missed it, Sinclair outlined security measures today. Wasn't blind to what was happening in the news, wanted to take steps if the Chinese got a foothold on American soil. Ran us through the added functionality of the holograms, then explained the construction of the casino, its emergency protocols, and the broadcast signal we're using for the Gala Event. Guy's a nut job, still, seems to have the bases covered. Guess the isolation of the casino was intentional. Not sure what he's hoping to protect, sure seems obsessed with it."
This climate of paranoia and fear meant that anyone accused of harboring communist sympathies was eventually considered fair game by the United States government. By 2075, left-wing sentiments gradually meant not just the risk of suffering surveillance and imprisonment, but outright murder by intelligence agencies. In case of families, children would also be forcibly adopted by people less inclined towards thoughtcrime.Sugar Grove terminal entries; SigInt system terminal, ARCHIVES: Index Those who avoided a death sentence could very well wind up living in horrific conditions in a concentration camp in remote corners of the US, such as the Turtledove Detention Camp in the marshes of Point Lookout, living in squalor and tortured for information they may not have. By 2077, the US government expanded its policy: Under Executive Order 99066 anyone of Chinese descent could be arrested, and thanks to deregulation and outsourcing, they would be placed in a camp by private contractors unbound by the usual laws.Internment orders A certain pretense was maintained, as federal agents would routinely drive journalists away from sites of reported communist activity, leading to a race between the two.My personal terminal entries; My personal terminal, Unknown Machinery at Train Stations
Many victims of these repressions would suffer fates worse than death, shipped to black sites for use as test subjects in the process of developing new technologies. While companies like Big MT would have preferred entire communist cities to be used, they settled for using victims of the anti-communist hysteria to create cities of their own.The Courier: "Test cities?"Borous: "-YES. In the past... individuals would come to us. Pay for technology. And if their town, community, or city was jusssst right...- -We could USE that city as a controlled experiment. Vault-Tec was MUCH better at it, of course, we had to make do. Get permission. Sometimes.- -- -So we had a group of Chinese prisoners to experiment on... those were the days... but the true test was SCIENCE on unsuspecting AMERICANS.- -Whether it was holograms, NEW Auto-Docs, toxins, vending machines... we wound them up, let them go into TINY ISOLATED TOWNS. Then... we OBSERVED!-"(Borous' dialogue) The first such shipment to Big MT consisted of three train cars of alleged communist infiltrators, placed into the Little Yangtze and quickly used for testing, fitted with explosive collars to kill any would-be escapees on the spot.Little Yangtze terminal entries; Little Yangtze log terminal, Log Entry 01 This would later extend to members of the hippie movement and anti-war activists as well,Sunflower Summers' diary with Commander Devlin and General Wellesley planning to send a group of protesters at Ashton to Big MT towards an unknown but undoubtably unenviable fate.Third Street Municipal Building terminal entries; Office of the Treasurer terminal, Memo from Commander Devlin
===Aftermath of the War===
The Great War and the destruction of human civilization ended the titanic struggle between China and the United States, and put a pause on the general issue of class struggle. Immediate post-War generations retained knowledge of capitalism and communism, and while few subscribed to the idea itself, many rejected the idea of unfettered capitalism, seeing its ruins every day.A Vault Dweller: "I don't want a communist on this team or in my settlement."Jen: "I'm not a communist. Yet the glory of unfettered capitalism is all around us. We're standing in its ruins. You do see that, right? You can revel in it all you like, but it still stinks of death and idiocy to me. I'm not interested in continuing this conversation. So ask me something else or let's get a move on."(Jen's dialogue) Even those who embraced the collectivist ideals underpinning communism and living in literal communes were hesitant to use the term, though lingering memories of persecution may have played a role in such reluctance. Even those who didn't embrace the term and its connotations, but participated in the struggle, became major assets for survivors. Former union members became the driving forces behind the Pittsburgh Union seeking to harness what remained of the city's industrial capacity and protect Pittsburghers from the Fanatics, becoming a self-organizing militant force.See Union for references. Foundation was founded on the principle of cooperation, collective labor, and horizontal organization, similar to anarchism,Fallout 76 loading screens: "The Settlers at Foundation rely on cooperation and collaboration, but respect the guidance of Paige and Ward, who are the closest the settlement has to leaders." and the most successful community in the wasteland, Shady Sands, was similarly based on the same principles, eventually paving the way for the New California Republic.See Shady Sands
The principles would persist in the coming century, though the term would fade into a dictionary entry. Both the Followers of the Apocalypse and the Children of the Cathedral embraced some aspects of communism, in particular the sharing of wealth an abolition of class divisions, as did the Unity. Following the destruction of the Master, the Followers would become known for their anarchist ways, selflessly helping the wasteland and sharing wealth and knowledge.See Followers of the Apocalypse Even the NCR, though experiencing a rebirth of a capitalist economy and wage labor, would practice left-wing thought under President Tandi's leadership, such as legislation to limit the acreage and herd size an individual can own, preventing accumulation of wealth and slowing down the emergence of a capitalist class - the brahmin and agri-barons. Citizens of the NCR also followed various forms of collective welfare, with resources shared among towns and many services provided free of charge, as part of mutual self-help. However, with the rebirth of capitalism, many became more selfish in the developed, prosperous areas and such mutual aid is now the exception, rather than a rule.Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.456: "Controversy over Economic DevelopmentThe NCR's economy is based on two resources: its great Brahmin herds, and swaths of land that have been restored to arable condition. These provide the nation with meat, leather, and starchy vegetables. During President Tandi's presidency, regulations limited the number of cattle head and the acreage of fields that could be owned by a single person. Despite constant pressure from the Stockmen's Association and Republican Farmer's Committee, such regulations loosened only a little so long as Tandi was in office. Following her death, however, they eroded until President Kimball overturned them completely.As a result, the past 12 years have seen the rise of the Brahmin Barons and Agri-Barons: captains of industry who are, by post-apocalyptic standards, spectacularly wealthy. This has given birth to a number of cottage industries, from the rebirth of luxury goods production to 'journalism' that reports on the latest purchases, commissions, and 'life lessons' of the newly rich and famous.The past 12 years has also seen a change in attitudes towards collective welfare. Citizens of the NCR rarely face significant dangers on a daily basis, and survival is an assumption rather than an aspiration. Citizens are far more reluctant to share food and other resources, and the person who provides services free of charge, whether it's something as quotidian as sewing or as rarefied as surgical expertise, are now the exception rather than the rule.An added economic strain is the scarcity of salvageable goods. Sixty-five years of scavenging has done a good job of picking clean the wastes of what was once Southern California. Rare are those individuals who can make a living by scavenging and hunting what they need.A consequence of these economic and cultural transformations has been the rebirth of wage labor. Whereas one's labor was until recently seen as benefitting and belonging to a collective (whether a family or small town), it has now become a commodity. To earn their keep, many citizens must seek an employer and trade the sweat of their brow for Caps.Citizens of the NCR hold a variety of opinions about these developments. Many boast of their nation's economic strength; others decry what they feel has been lost. Many curse the selfishness of their fellow citizens, usually while pursuing aims that will benefit only themselves or their families. Here in the Vegas wastes, however, nearly all citizens will agree on one matter: opportunity has dried up back home, and to earn a fortune, one must come East."(Behind the Bright Lights & Big City) The Followers of the Apocalypse are the only organized group in the NCR to conclusively practice this form of aid, composed of various left-wingers, from anarcho-syndicalists, through socialists, to communists - and are one of the few groups able to conclusively tie their beliefs to pre-existing political philosophies.Josh Sawyer Formspring answers:"The Followers of the Apocalypse: Libertarians, socialists, communists, or greens?"Joshua Sawyer: "They vary significantly, but range from anarcho-syndicatists to socialists to communists. Their general tendency to be inclusive and non-hierarchical means they don't have a single outlook or 'platform.' "
==Communist states==
* China was the principal communist superpower of the 21st century and the primary ideological foe of the United States, to the point that Chinese and communist was frequently used interchangeably.Drinkin' Buddy: "A communist, a spy, and a Chinese man walk into a bar. He orders a drink."(Drinkin' Buddy's dialogue) China was commonly portrayed in propaganda as a backward nation without technological achievements.Drinkin' Buddy: "What did the commies light their house with before they used candles? Electricity."(Drinkin' Buddy's dialogue)Codsworth: ""(Codsworth's dialogue) Chinese communist forces invaded Anchorage in the winter of 2066, to seize Alaskan oil reserves and prop up its economy.Capitol Post terminal entries; Capital Post Top Stories -- January 11, 2077, Commies Crushed - Alaska Liberated!: "By Dorothy ProudCapital Post Staff WriterIn the late evening hours of January 10th, brave American Army forces launched an all-out offensive against the entrenched Chinese Communist invaders in the beleaguered seaport of Anchorage, Alaska, destroying all opposition and finally liberating the city after more than ten years of Chinese occupation.No red-blooded American can ever forget that terrible winter of 2066, when Chairman Cheng’s commie cutthroats mercilessly invaded the icy extension of the United States, in an unprecedented act of foreign aggression that sent shockwaves all the way back to our nation’s Capital.But the nightmare is finally over, and America, always the home of the brave, is once again the land of the free." This touched off the decade-long Sino-American War and eventually the Great War when the almost-defeated China launched nuclear weapons, leading to the mutual destruction of itself and the United States.The Chosen One: "{184}{}{You can tell me just what's going on here.}"Dick Richardson: "{176}{prs20a}{You really don't know, do you? Let me tell you about mankind's salvation. A little history first...}"The Chosen One: "{178}{}{Go on, Mr. President….}"Dick Richardson: "{197}{prs24}{There was a great war long before we were born. Our gallant soldiers fought from the Yukon to the Yangtze.}"The Chosen One: "{198}{}{Yeah, I knew about that part. Go on.}"Dick Richardson: "{216}{prs32}{We were winning, too. And then those damn Reds launched everything they had. We barely got our birds up.}"The Chosen One: "{217}{}{Doesn't seem as though it helped us much.}"Dick Richardson: "{218}{prs33}{Well, no it didn't. But at least it knocked the damn Red menace back into the stone age.}"The Chosen One: "{219}{}{And us with it.}"Dick Richardson: "{220}{prs34}{Well, no. No... not quite. You see, we had planned ahead. We were ready. }"(Dick Richardson's dialogue)
* The Soviet Union was a secondary power commonly grouped with China as a communist monolith,The Sole Survivor: "The Red Menace?"Codsworth: "Why the communists, of course! The Russians AND the Chinese!"(Codsworth's dialogue) portrayed as a land of forced labor camps where every expression of individualism is cracked down upon, including makeup for women.HELIOS One terminal entries; terminal, "Can I Tell Him?"
==References==
;Atomic Shop: Due to the looser standards governing Atomic Shop content, all references are grouped separately for clarity.
Non-game
Category:Fallout setting
Category:China
Category:Soviet Union