Oh ok. I understand better. Thank you for taking the time to explain it :)
I see MLs talk about “liberalism” and, correctly or not, I think of the French Revolution. It seems though that that term is instead of “neoliberalism,” I think (?). I can see the narrative that “liberalism” and “fascism” are like masks that capitalist structures wear, like modes of operation. But it’s also confusing because those two concepts don’t descend directly from fascism.
And I think I’m picking up that ML is a the revolutionary part of expanding communism, and I guess that’s why it’s not just Marxism? Because Marx foresaw the fundamental changes that needed to happen, and Lenin instantiated it? I haven’t read Marx yet, it’s on my list of shame, I suppose 😅
Since we have an open dialogue, I’m also curious of your opinion about "tankie"ism. Specifically, why not-so-pro-communist people see MLs as tankies that defend or deny authoritarian crimes against humanity.
No problem! Liberalism was popularized by the French Revolution, but is generally the umbrella for pro-capitalist ideologies that put private ownership as an inherent “good.” Neoliberalism is under that umbrella, but not distinct from it.
Marxism-Leninism is the synthesis of Marx’s core framework of dialectical materialism, critique of capitalism, and scientific socialism, with Lenin’s organizational advancements and advanced critique of imperialism that Marx did not live to see. It isn’t so much a “recipe” as it is a tool for the working class to organize, overthrow capitalism, and work towards higher developments through socialism until communism is achieved. If you want an intro to Marxism-Leninism, I actually made an introductory reading list! Check it out if you have the time, it’s aimed at beginners.
As for “tankie-ism,” it’s just the modern version of “pinko” or “commie.” It’s a pejorative for practicing Marxists. The “tankie” is a ready-made construct that affirms that all of the Red-Scare allegations against communists are true, while also being someone that supports said allegations. The reality is that the anti-communist propaganda throughout the decades is usually a distortion of quantity, quality, context, or all 3. There’s nobody that actually agrees with all of the claims made by anti-communists are real, but also supports them. The reality is far more nuanced, but “tankie” is a convenient thought-terminating-cliché.
Oh ok. I understand better. Thank you for taking the time to explain it :)
I see MLs talk about “liberalism” and, correctly or not, I think of the French Revolution. It seems though that that term is instead of “neoliberalism,” I think (?). I can see the narrative that “liberalism” and “fascism” are like masks that capitalist structures wear, like modes of operation. But it’s also confusing because those two concepts don’t descend directly from fascism.
And I think I’m picking up that ML is a the revolutionary part of expanding communism, and I guess that’s why it’s not just Marxism? Because Marx foresaw the fundamental changes that needed to happen, and Lenin instantiated it? I haven’t read Marx yet, it’s on my list of shame, I suppose 😅
Since we have an open dialogue, I’m also curious of your opinion about "tankie"ism. Specifically, why not-so-pro-communist people see MLs as tankies that defend or deny authoritarian crimes against humanity.
No problem! Liberalism was popularized by the French Revolution, but is generally the umbrella for pro-capitalist ideologies that put private ownership as an inherent “good.” Neoliberalism is under that umbrella, but not distinct from it.
Marxism-Leninism is the synthesis of Marx’s core framework of dialectical materialism, critique of capitalism, and scientific socialism, with Lenin’s organizational advancements and advanced critique of imperialism that Marx did not live to see. It isn’t so much a “recipe” as it is a tool for the working class to organize, overthrow capitalism, and work towards higher developments through socialism until communism is achieved. If you want an intro to Marxism-Leninism, I actually made an introductory reading list! Check it out if you have the time, it’s aimed at beginners.
As for “tankie-ism,” it’s just the modern version of “pinko” or “commie.” It’s a pejorative for practicing Marxists. The “tankie” is a ready-made construct that affirms that all of the Red-Scare allegations against communists are true, while also being someone that supports said allegations. The reality is that the anti-communist propaganda throughout the decades is usually a distortion of quantity, quality, context, or all 3. There’s nobody that actually agrees with all of the claims made by anti-communists are real, but also supports them. The reality is far more nuanced, but “tankie” is a convenient thought-terminating-cliché.