Tankie’s original use was for British communists who supported Soviet military expansion. In the modern sense, it is used to describe communists who are authoritarian-apologists. For example, a communist who romanticizes the Soviet Union or makes excuses for the Uyghur genocide is a tankie. I’ve also seen it stretched to include militant anti-capitalists, or more commonly, “militant,” anti-capitalists who call for violent resistance to capitalism from the safety of a keyboard.

Democratic-Socialists are not tankies. Socialists are not tankies. I don’t even think most communists qualify as tankies. Criticizing Democrats does not make you a tankie. Condemning Israel’s human rights violations does not make you a tankie. Voting third party doesn’t make you a tankie. I see this term used here every day, but never correctly.

  • gastationsushi@lemmy.world
    267·
    8 months ago

    I got called a tankie for complaining about the lack of regulations when that lead tainted applesauce story came out.

    Calling someone a tankie is just scraping the bottom of the barrel. It’s all they have.

      • Muyal_Hix@lemmy.world
        65·
        8 months ago

        You got called a fascist becasue you wrote:

        “12 percent of Bernie’s supporters stayed home in 2020.”

        and

        “Why would I lecture anyone fucking over leftists? Fuck socialism.”

        Which is are pretty much rightist talking points.

        Edit: You also said that leftists and POC need to be “put in their place” whatever that means, so I’m not surprised you got called that.