Curious about socialism

Hi! I am a stranger on this instance, I have read a lot of warnings about the "tankie triad", but wanted to see for myself and keep an open mind.

I watched this video, and it made me want to take a deep dive into socialism/communism, with as much objectivity as I can. https://youtu.be/BeRjTtKFlVM

I understand how capitalism works, and I have doubts that it is a sustainable system for society long term, but social democracy has been a good way of keeping capitalism in-check in Norway. So even if capitalism is not ideal, it is in theory possible to tax the rich more and keep the whole thing going in the future. I also understand the exploitation and the extraction of surplus value, rent seeking etc.

Other capitalist countries such as the US is currently struggling with basic human needs. And that is "the shining beacon of capitalism".

In Norway it has for a long time been common to use the US as an example of what not to do.

What I am interested in learning is how society would operate and function under socialism / communism. More about the differences. Preferably from less dry sources than The Capital from Marx. Where can I learn more? Preferably a bit entertaining.

It is important to me that it is historically accurate and factually correct.

Look forward to your replies 😊

50 comments

tankie triad
Anybody who uses the term "tankie" can safely be ignored and blocked.
but social democracy has been a good way of keeping capitalism in-check in Norway
Even though some of these concessions have been rolled back? Also, Norway, etc were able to offer these concessions by exploiting other countries.
What I am interested in learning is how society would operate and function under socialism / communism. More about the differences. Preferably from less dry sources than The Capital from Marx. Where can I learn more? Preferably a bit entertaining.
A podcast called Actually Existing Socialism is really good!
- Tankie is a perjorative word, but it refers to those who support authoritarian communism. For instance by denying documented historical events, or support or defend repression from authoritarian regimes.
  Why should I ignore their opinions and block those that use the word? Is it that negatively charged?
  I believe Norway still has a lot of good systems to take care of its citizens.
  We have free healthcare, free education, very cheap kindergartens (highly subsidized), lots of vacation, retirement is guaranteed, if you get disabled you are guaranteed an income for life, etc.
  I'll check out the podcast!
  
  The reason Marxists take issue with "tankie" is that it's just the "pinko" or "commie" of the 21st century. The purpose of it is just to be an anticommunist pejorative in a manner that pretends there is a group of "good" Marxists and "bad" Marxists, the good Marxists of course being the same as the Ubisoft portrayal of Marx in Assassin's Creed.
  The reality is that the Red Scare factually exists, and that it has shaped what is considered mainstream history in Western Countries despite lack of hard evidence. The Marxists that push back against some of the more egregious myths from the Red Scare (which never ended, I might add) are not doing so in order to lie to people, or defend repression, but to get an accurate look at Socialism as it exists in the real world so it can be judged accurately.
  In short, "tankie" is just a way for anti-communists to pretend to only oppose a fictional caricature of Communists while supporting "true Communists," who are free from sin and pure. The reality is that it just serves to distort and silence the real, reasonable and rational claims from Marxists, and demonize them, as the people genuinely fitting the term "tankie" do not exist.
  Consider reading Nia Frome's "Tankies."
  
  Thanks, that makes sense
  
  No problem!
  
  It's a meaningless word that liberals and anti-communists use to try and down-punch and discredit us.
  https://youtu.be/YVYVBOFYJco
  I believe Norway still has a lot of good systems to take care of its citizens.
  Sure, I'm not saying welfare programs are bad, but the system is still Capitalist. We're already seeing policies being rolled back as the pendulum swings. Norway is able to afford its citizens these luxuries because of its historical exploitation and wealth. That, and because of the proximity to the Soviet Union; they feared uprising similar to what was going on there, so concessions were made. It's always concessions.
  
  It is a word that discredits the intention of the one using it. Somewhat like "libtard".

50 comments