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.

    • 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.