Could democratic socialism become the brand of a new generation of political actors — not just on the fringe, not just in New York City, but across the country?
Socialism and fascism have always gone hand in hand.
Edit: I’m sorry that so many of you have such an issue with this statement.
Most leaders of socialist countries have governed in a fascistic or authoritarian manner. I understand that the historical consensus does not classify self-described socialist leaders as fascists, but I believe that distinction is based primarily on their stated ideology rather than how they actually governed. In my view, ideology should not exempt these monsters from being recognized for the authoritarian and fascistic characteristics of their regimes.
North Korea, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Cambodia… Man, Cambodia was really bad.
The only real exception people point to is China, but they’ve embraced market capitalism to such an extent that even they recognized a purely socialist economy wasn’t sustainable. You can’t take that away from them.
I always ask the same question of people who enthusiastically support socialism but don’t seem to understand what the word actually means: What country would you want to move to that is currently socialist, or that has been socialist in the past?
It’s a simple question, and I rarely get a direct answer.
So… do you understand that authoritarianism isn’t necessarily fascism? You’re listing authoritarian regimes, but none of those were fascist. At an extreme simplification, authoritarian/libertarian is an entirely separate axis from left/right.
Stalin is one of the most evil men in history and committed atrocities against his own people but he and his regime were most emphatically not fascists.
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial leadership, extreme nationalism, suppression of political opposition, and the subordination of individual rights to what the state or nation is said to require.
Stalin wasn’t an fascist? Are you taking the piss?
Red fascism is more or less something ginned up in the early stages of the Cold War as a way to conveniently carry the fight through to the new enemy.
Stalin was not fascist, nor is Stalinism related to fascism. Stalin was a fucking monster regardless of whatever label you prefer, though.
If we look at other cited regimes, your footing is even weaker. Mao wasn’t a fascist, and none of the leaders of the PRC since then have been. Same for Castro and Cuba. Pol Pot was one fucked up dude, but he wasn’t fascist.
Stalin is certainly the closest comparison, but he’s still not fascist.
I understand where you’re coming from, and I understand why you believe this is true, especially when you take into account the current consensus among historians and other authority figures on the subject. They generally agree that Stalin and the other figures you mentioned were not fascists.
I disagree.
They qualify as fascists under every metric of the definition, and in abundance. Being communist, or labeling Stalin’s system “Stalinism,” does not exclude it from being fascism. Those labels do not change the underlying structure.
By every measurable standard, they were fascists, unequivocally,
Saying that a totalitarian ultra-nationalistic authoritative and violent regime isn’t fascist because they called themselves communists is historically and morally disingenuous.
What a great little technical out for some of the worst people on Earth and in human history to not be called fascists.
I live in the United States, and I love my country.
The fact is that, as far as I’m aware, there has never been a single socialist country that has been broadly successful, and I don’t think there ever will be. So answer the question.
You say you support socialism, but you choose to live in a country that isn’t socialist because it’s prosperous, stable, and safe. If socialism is the superior system, why wouldn’t you want to live in a country that actually practices it?
Why do you like socialism so much? Have you ever lived in a socialist country? Have you even visited one? Can you point to a socialist country, either current or historical, that you would willingly move to?
It seems like you’re just repeating things you’ve read on Lemmy or elsewhere on the internet. You don’t appear to understand what socialism actually is, how it functions, or how it differs from social democracy or democratic socialism. You keep calling welfare programs “socialism,” when they aren’t.
Answer the fucking question, what country would you move to that is currently socialist or has been socialist in the past?
And don’t you even dare deflect to the fact that I live in America and that you think it’s a terrible country? Don’t even try it. It’s not going to work.
Do you know that most successful countries in the world are social-democracies right? Like most of Europe.
You don’t need to go full communist or follow the red party book to incorporate the good bits of modern social-democratic practices to counter bad capitalism abuse.
Im not a communist or “socialist” btw (assuming the typical American biased understand of those terms).
Yes. Some of the most successful countries on earth are social democracy’s which has nothing to do with socialism.
I encounter us problem on Lemmy all the time. ALL THE TIME! I’ll leave you with my regular disclaimer.
Socialism refers to collective ownership of the means of production. Social democracy/democratic socialism refers to a capitalist market economy supplemented by welfare programs, labor protections, and public services. The two terms are not interchangeable despite frequent misuse on the internet. You are describing and advocating for social democracy/democratic socialism not socialism.
While neither party can be trusted, I’ll take socialism over fascism every damned time.
It’s the catchy songs right?
and what does socialism mean in this case
what does democratic socialism mean
is it just defund israel or is it defund the police? indeed is it destroy israel or own that means of production you love so much?
i guess we and you will find out which fantasy we’ll all be larping eventually
Socialism and fascism have always gone hand in hand.
Edit: I’m sorry that so many of you have such an issue with this statement.
Most leaders of socialist countries have governed in a fascistic or authoritarian manner. I understand that the historical consensus does not classify self-described socialist leaders as fascists, but I believe that distinction is based primarily on their stated ideology rather than how they actually governed. In my view, ideology should not exempt these monsters from being recognized for the authoritarian and fascistic characteristics of their regimes.
I’ll bite.
Why?
Edit: and how? Specific examples please
He’s also said socialism and not democratic socialism, so… He’s changing the narrative on you.
North Korea, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Cambodia… Man, Cambodia was really bad.
The only real exception people point to is China, but they’ve embraced market capitalism to such an extent that even they recognized a purely socialist economy wasn’t sustainable. You can’t take that away from them.
I always ask the same question of people who enthusiastically support socialism but don’t seem to understand what the word actually means: What country would you want to move to that is currently socialist, or that has been socialist in the past?
It’s a simple question, and I rarely get a direct answer.
So… do you understand that authoritarianism isn’t necessarily fascism? You’re listing authoritarian regimes, but none of those were fascist. At an extreme simplification, authoritarian/libertarian is an entirely separate axis from left/right.
Stalin is one of the most evil men in history and committed atrocities against his own people but he and his regime were most emphatically not fascists.
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial leadership, extreme nationalism, suppression of political opposition, and the subordination of individual rights to what the state or nation is said to require.
Stalin wasn’t an fascist? Are you taking the piss?
Red fascism is more or less something ginned up in the early stages of the Cold War as a way to conveniently carry the fight through to the new enemy.
Stalin was not fascist, nor is Stalinism related to fascism. Stalin was a fucking monster regardless of whatever label you prefer, though.
If we look at other cited regimes, your footing is even weaker. Mao wasn’t a fascist, and none of the leaders of the PRC since then have been. Same for Castro and Cuba. Pol Pot was one fucked up dude, but he wasn’t fascist.
Stalin is certainly the closest comparison, but he’s still not fascist.
I understand where you’re coming from, and I understand why you believe this is true, especially when you take into account the current consensus among historians and other authority figures on the subject. They generally agree that Stalin and the other figures you mentioned were not fascists.
I disagree.
They qualify as fascists under every metric of the definition, and in abundance. Being communist, or labeling Stalin’s system “Stalinism,” does not exclude it from being fascism. Those labels do not change the underlying structure.
By every measurable standard, they were fascists, unequivocally,
Saying that a totalitarian ultra-nationalistic authoritative and violent regime isn’t fascist because they called themselves communists is historically and morally disingenuous.
What a great little technical out for some of the worst people on Earth and in human history to not be called fascists.
So you’re acknowledging that there’s a general consensus among historians and political scientists and rejecting it anyway?
Well, you do you I guess.
I usually reply to that with: “And if you love capitalism that much why don’t you move to the US instead?”
That still doesn’t answer the question.
I live in the United States, and I love my country.
The fact is that, as far as I’m aware, there has never been a single socialist country that has been broadly successful, and I don’t think there ever will be. So answer the question.
You say you support socialism, but you choose to live in a country that isn’t socialist because it’s prosperous, stable, and safe. If socialism is the superior system, why wouldn’t you want to live in a country that actually practices it?
Why do you like socialism so much? Have you ever lived in a socialist country? Have you even visited one? Can you point to a socialist country, either current or historical, that you would willingly move to?
It seems like you’re just repeating things you’ve read on Lemmy or elsewhere on the internet. You don’t appear to understand what socialism actually is, how it functions, or how it differs from social democracy or democratic socialism. You keep calling welfare programs “socialism,” when they aren’t.
Answer the fucking question, what country would you move to that is currently socialist or has been socialist in the past?
And don’t you even dare deflect to the fact that I live in America and that you think it’s a terrible country? Don’t even try it. It’s not going to work.
Do you know that most successful countries in the world are social-democracies right? Like most of Europe. You don’t need to go full communist or follow the red party book to incorporate the good bits of modern social-democratic practices to counter bad capitalism abuse. Im not a communist or “socialist” btw (assuming the typical American biased understand of those terms).
Yes. Some of the most successful countries on earth are social democracy’s which has nothing to do with socialism.
I encounter us problem on Lemmy all the time. ALL THE TIME! I’ll leave you with my regular disclaimer.
Gaslight somewhere else.
And here we have another Lemmy user that doesn’t know what a word means. But he sure is using it and that’s nice.