While I agree that raw Communism and Marxism have a troubling history and poor track record, it's essential to differentiate between studying Communism as a whole and understanding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). What many people don’t realize is that the CCP was founded by an individualist.

Mao Zedong himself once said, “I disagree with the idea that the life of the individual derives from the life of the nation in the same way that the four limbs derive from the body. The life of a nation, including its politics and language, all began well after the human race had evolved. The individual came before the nation; the individual did not come from the nation. There is no higher value than that of an individual. There is no greater crime than to suppress the individual.”

This excerpt, from Godfree Roberts' book Why China Leads the World, highlights the nuanced and distinct ideology behind 'Chinese Communism' compared to Marx's original vision. (https://drive.proton.me/urls/CNZZHX5NB4#ixoEPZo0IvWs)

If you're interested in studying Communism, perhaps it's time to explore 'Chinese Communism'—which has evolved significantly from Marx’s concepts. 'Socialism with Chinese characteristics' is something entirely different.

I recommend starting with this explanation of Chinese democracy:  'China: Democracy That Works' (https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202112/04/WS61ab0795a310cdd39bc7957e.html), or check out this YouTube video (https://youtu.be/64FHSkc5ORs) for more insights.