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Split Thread What is Communism
- Thread starter Ziggurat
- Start date
The Atlantic on bsky, July 10, 2026
Despite Trump's railing against Marxism, @jonathanbchait.bsky.social argues that “Trump has more in common with Communists than his hostile rhetoric lets on”:
theatln.tc/G18pphgO: Kevin Carter / Getty
It should have been a blank page, but it isn¨t. The intro isn't paywalled.
Dr. Ruth Marshall is still kicking against the pricks on bsky, July 10, 2026
Jfc.
@jonathanbchait.bsky.social making a serious bid for Abjectly Stupid Reactionary White Boy of the Year. Competition is fierce, but we believe in you Jonathan!
By far the best one:
But this one's also great:
Last edited:
Trausti
Illuminator
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2023
- Messages
- 3,152
Seems to me that the element which makes "communism" isn't oppression or an authoritarian state. It's simply an economic system that allows for severely restricted or no economic freedom/free enterprise. Contemporary China, despite the ruling party name, isn't a communist country. People there can start private businesses and get super rich. But they can't criticism the government. However, communism requires oppression and an authoritarian state, as most people would not be subjected to it willingly.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
Marxism has never been anti-imperialist, let alone typically so.
The goal is a global empire, a dictatorship of the proletariat. It's no accident the anthem is called "the Internationale".
The goal is a global empire, a dictatorship of the proletariat. It's no accident the anthem is called "the Internationale".
Ziggurat
Penultimate Amazing
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2003
- Messages
- 64,122
There are no truly private businesses in China. It is not a capitalist economy under an authoritarian state. It's not Soviet-style communism, but I would still call it communism. There are communist party members installed as communist party members within every large business in China.
Trausti
Illuminator
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2023
- Messages
- 3,152
Right, but they're there to make sure people keep in line politically. They're not running the business.
Its probably better described as corporatist or state capitalism, they don't quite fit either. I hear rumors that Xi is actually a believing communist, which may be true as he has made a lot of moves to reduce the market and capitalist elements in China.
It is authoritarian.
There is some private enterprise, but it does seem as that only goes as far as the government lets them. They are free to run their businesses as they see fit and even keep the profits so long as the toe the government line and do as they are told when they are told to. It certainly isn't what Marx, Engles, or Mao had in mind as far as I can tell.
It is authoritarian.
There is some private enterprise, but it does seem as that only goes as far as the government lets them. They are free to run their businesses as they see fit and even keep the profits so long as the toe the government line and do as they are told when they are told to. It certainly isn't what Marx, Engles, or Mao had in mind as far as I can tell.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
Just because American Communists want to blow up Mount Rushmore doesn't mean that's all that communism is about.
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
What an interesting citation!
@dann ,do you think economic interventionism is a hallmark of socialist government?
No, I don't, but it's what idiots think socialist governments are all about.
Others think "the Republican Party was the party of small government."
It never was. It was always about big government. The only thing they wanted to decrease was measures that benefitted ordinary people, very poor ordinary people, in particular. That was what the wanted to minimize. That was what DOGE was supposed to accomplish.
But don't worry, even Republicans can come to their senses. They're not a lost cause. At least, some of them aren't. They just have to learn to think outside of the box of fundamentalist religious bigotry:
Others think "the Republican Party was the party of small government."
It never was. It was always about big government. The only thing they wanted to decrease was measures that benefitted ordinary people, very poor ordinary people, in particular. That was what the wanted to minimize. That was what DOGE was supposed to accomplish.
But don't worry, even Republicans can come to their senses. They're not a lost cause. At least, some of them aren't. They just have to learn to think outside of the box of fundamentalist religious bigotry:
This one is brilliant!
And so short!!!
"So it's interesting that collective funding is called public safety when it buys a police car but communism when it buys a child lunch."
Bossi's YouTube channel.
I had never heard of her until now.
Her collection of shorts.
Many great titles. I've only listened to this one so far, but I already look forward to next Thursday!
And so short!!!
"So it's interesting that collective funding is called public safety when it buys a police car but communism when it buys a child lunch."
Bossi's YouTube channel.
I had never heard of her until now.
Her collection of shorts.
Many great titles. I've only listened to this one so far, but I already look forward to next Thursday!
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
The only time I hear people calling collective funding communism is when progressives try to tell me I'm a communist for believing taxation is a legitimate role of government.
Steve
Penultimate Amazing
Wondering if there are businesses in the USA that are completely free of government regulation and taxation?
theprestige
Penultimate Amazing
Why would anyone take up the definition of communism with Mitch McConnell?
The Big Dog has left the building – in fact, he did so years ago – but I finally understand how he could get the idea that Das Kapital by Karl Marx, books that are all about economy and not at all about religion, superstition or atheism, was the 'atheist Bible.'
This video helped me understand:
Drew McCoy usually makes pretty long videos, but they are also usually worthwhile. This one definitely was. And I actually spent more time than watching it than just the 44 minutes because I had to pause to take in all the Chick tracts and other fundamentalist Christian and CIA anti-communist propaganda.
I assume that this other recent video from him, American Christianity Is a Capitalist Cult (July 14, 2026 – 28 min.) will be just as interesting and enlightening, but I haven't watched it yet.
This video helped me understand:
The Christian Conspiracy That Ruined My Childhood (Genetically Modified Skeptic on YouTube, July 29, 2026 – 44:28 min.)
The CIA wrote my family's theology.
Evangelical Christianity Is Literally A PsyOp:• Evangelical Christianity Is Literally a PSYOP
Michael Burns video on conspiracy theories:
My second channel:
Drew McCoy usually makes pretty long videos, but they are also usually worthwhile. This one definitely was. And I actually spent more time than watching it than just the 44 minutes because I had to pause to take in all the Chick tracts and other fundamentalist Christian and CIA anti-communist propaganda.
I assume that this other recent video from him, American Christianity Is a Capitalist Cult (July 14, 2026 – 28 min.) will be just as interesting and enlightening, but I haven't watched it yet.
Susheel
Illuminator
What, according to you is a "legitimate role" of government?