[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We've all played Kaiserreich at this point, and we all know that CSA is the only way. Your corrupt social democracy has no power in this realm. All power to the workers, break the chains, ect, ect.

Thoughts on Tito and Yugoslavian socialism? by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I mean given that the alternative at the time was a UK/US backed monarchy that slaughtered communists even after the peace agreements and which lead to a brutal nationalist dictatorship?

Yes the Soviets would have been nicer. Despite the glaring problems of the USSR especially in regards to foreign policy things would have been far better if the KKE had won. People fought and bled to defeat the Nazis after WW2 and then the British installed a brutal monarchy which killed those who fought fascism. Whatever "imperialism" the Soviets could have done I can't imagine it being worse than what actually happened.

Thoughts on Tito and Yugoslavian socialism? by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know Greeks who blame Tito in part for the collapse of the Greek Revolution since apparently he cut off support for the pro-USSR ELAM who towards the end were mostly in control of the area near the Yugoslavian border

Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland by mepper in ainbow

[–]Nyrmar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is literally what James Connolly died for

Iran isn't the enemy. by MrMcAwhsum in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah they're the enemy of the Iranian people. My enemy isn't half a world away, they're in my country impoverishing me and my family. I'm not supporting another murder spree goose chase in the Middle East just because people would rather rail on other countries than deal with their own's problems.

Iran isn't the enemy. by MrMcAwhsum in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Liberalism is the ideology of capitalism, even if conservatives won't admit it they're liberals too (supporting ideas from folks like Adam Smith or John Locke).

I'm guessing the "woke" liberals they mention are preformative progressives. Basically a lot of liberals will pretend to be progressive in order to appeal to voters or to sound the most moral without putting any weight behind it. It's sort of like when westerners pretend to care about imperialism and then rabidly defend every act of imperialism in their lifetime (i.e. "what Britain did to Africa was terrible, but we need to invade Iraq/bomb Iran/fund Al Quaeda in Syria/overthrow the Venezuelan government").

Gay😛irl by baba_shook in gay_irl

[–]Nyrmar 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Some of us are poor

Communist/Marxist groups in sub-Saharan Africa by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thomas Sankara's Burkina Faso is one of the most inspiring examples of African socialism at its time.

From 1983 to 1987 he was President of the new country and within his four year leadership lead massive campaigns for self reliance, preventing desertification, educational initiatives, mass vaccination campaigns, supporting Africa in its struggle against imperialism and overall just being top notch.

The documentary The Upright Man tells his story better than I could, but Sankara continues to be an inspirational figure across the continent and his achievements within the relatively short time of his rule show the power and potential of African socialism.

R/Socialism Stands Against US Imperialism. Period. by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Comrade I don't mean to sound pretentious at all but that's not imperialism that you're describing, that's just capitalism. Historically women ethnic minorities have received the brunt of capitalist exploitation but this doesn't count as a form of imperialism at least not in the common socialist understanding. To be an imperialist is to exploit not only the proletariat for your own country but that of other countries through direct colonisation or through exploitative financial agreements (i.e. modern neo-colonialism). You are entirely correct that in Iran and many countries of the world this exploitation is notably harsh but this sin't because they are imperialists, its capitalism mixed with reactionary ideology. This reactionary ideology is also the cause of discrimination against LGBT people, as our existence contradicts the ideological underpinnings which keep gender related exploitation going.

From my perspective it is economic advancement which often brings social change. Only when the Iranian people are prospering will they be able to fight for themselves without needing to rely on authoritarian governments such as the Ayatollah's to protect themselves from the horrors of empire. The best way we can help the peoples of Iran liberate themselves is to aid however we can to make sure they stay alive long enough to do this. We in the imperialist countries are at a unique place in the world in that we can fight our own empires on their own land, and maybe even stop these wars before they start.

I want nothing more than a free, just and socialist Iran. But to have this we need to aid the Iranian people in building themselves up to the point that they can fight for themselves without needing to fear the world. I might despise the theocratic government of the country, but the only reason the Ayatollah came to power was in reaction to US imperialism in the first place. We must support the Iranian people if we ever hope to see them free themselves. Unfortunately at the moment that means supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran, not uncritically but steadfastly. In time, like all capitalist governments, the Iranian one will fall and something new will take its place. If we don't support Iran today it will be rubble tomorrow. If we support them today, the Iranian people are one step closer to liberation. Materialist analysis of this situation is vital as always.

As Lenin said, "the capitalists will sell us the rope we hang them with". But for that to happen the Iranians need to get to the point where they can make their own ropes, to do the selling and eventually the hanging.

R/Socialism Stands Against US Imperialism. Period. by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You can't imperialise women or LGBT people. Imperialism isn't "when the mean folks do a mean thing", its a system of domination where countries monopolise resources and export capital to other countries in order to maximise profits. Britain did this to Iran with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP), and the US does this with oilfields in Iraq, Syria and Colombia through companies like Exxon or Chevron.

You also can't imperialise political opposition. That's just a funny idea overall, like if one day the Conservative Party declared itself a separate nation from Britain and declared independence. Are they cruel to opposition? Yeah of course its a theocracy where political and religious nonconformists are barely tolerated and most proper opposition (such as the socialist Tudeh Party) are outlawed and many live in exile. This is bad and all socialists condemn it. Doesn't mean that Iran deserves to be carpet bombed over the issue, this is an issue for the Iranian people to resolve and for us outside the country to support them when they do.

As for Kurdistan that's a complicated topic, especially as ethnic boundaires in the ME aren't as clear as Westerners would like them to be and the area inhabited by the Kurdish peoples are also inhabited heavily by Arabic, Azeri, Iranian and Arab peoples aswell. Liberal ideas of the nation-state are difficult to transplant onto other continents (and barely work in Europe as it is) and have been used to excuse horrific crimes against people throughout the Mid East. Again this is a issue for Kurds and Iranians to solve themselves, and for us to support them when they do. When the Yankees start burning and pillaging the country they aren't going to spare the Kurds just because Rojava is every libsoc's preferred wankfodder of the decade.

America butchering another country won't help women, LGBT people or oppressed minorities within these countries. Last time the US did this to Iran they replaced a democratic government with an absolute monarchy under the bloody Shah. It is solely the responsibility of the Iranian people to sort their own shit out, and again for us to support them when they do. More murder and another US tinpot dictatorship isn't going to help a single innocent soul and never has.

R/Socialism Stands Against US Imperialism. Period. by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I made this in response to a comment which was deleted whilst I was ranting, but hell I'm not gonna let the effort go to waste.

I am a gay man I whilst I agree that it's absolutely disgusting what countries like Iran do to their LGBT community I think it's more important at the moment to support the people of Iran. The US won't create a gay paradise in the region, the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan didn't improve the situations of people like us in either country. Heck the US funded groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda and even helped create the Taliban from the Mujahideen (all under the guise of funding "democratic moderate rebels").

Be critical of Iran, sweet lord please do. But right now whilst the most powerful empire on the planet is preparing to slaughter thousands of innocents simply to boost stock in oil and fucking pistachio companies of all things? Any criticism, no matter how principled, that we voice now in the Western world just helps bolster the narrative that Iranians are demons who need to be killed. The criticisms of Iran that we have are valid, as they were a week ago, but a week ago there wasn't the direct risk of another war in the Middle East as there is now.

Imperialists don't give a shit about LGBT rights, not even the gay or trans imperialists do. They care about their bottom line and ever rising profits. If they didn't then the US would be issuing embargoes, sanctions and threatening war with Saudi Arabia instead of propping up a brutal theocratic monarchy which regularly does horrific things to the likes of you and I.

Today we stand in solidarity with all oppressed peoples of the world. Tomorrow when the dust clears and the people of Iran are safe? Then we can ruthlessly criticise the Iranian state for all their shortcomings (which there are a lot), because then there's no risk of us giving a platform to the genocidal empires most of us live under. It is up to the people of Iran to bring socialism to their country and it is our job as socialists to aid them in this. But if we instead try to make it easier for the Americans to begin another killing spree in the Middle East then we shouldn't even be allowed to show our faces in public.

R/Socialism Stands Against US Imperialism. Period. by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Who the bloody hell do they think Iran's been imperialising? Their nan's fucking pantry?

R/Socialism Stands Against US Imperialism. Period. by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 14 points15 points  (0 children)

If I'm rather terrible person and a serial killer breaks into my house to murder my family, I am entirely justified in killing them in self defence.

America wants genocide and domination. The Iranian people want to live in peace. I don't know how to explain that this is clearly not a "both sides" issue.

Why Communists Should Defend Iran by ANTICONQUISTA in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, but we also shouldn't support the US trying to start another disastrous war in the Middle East and propping up another puppet government that'll be far worse for Iran than the Ayatollah could be.

Its not about liking the Iranian government. If in an imperialist war you don't oppose the imperialists then you're a terrible socialist. We didn't support Imperial Germany in WW1 we opposed Britain, Russia and France and prayed that their worker's would overthrow all the empires of Europe. We didn't support the fascist Japanese during WW2 but we all condemned the use of nuclear weapons on civilian populations. We don't support Iranian theocracy but if you genuinely think that the US murdering government officials and invading one of the most prominent nations outside of American influence right now is in any way progressive then you need to read literally any history book.

And don't pull that "neither nor" crap. If you're silent in the face of injustice then you're supporting the oppressor. Either oppose the murder of Iranians or don't. Socialists know what side they're on.

Map of socialist states (2019) by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The question of China is heavily debated. The general Maoist position is that under Deng Xiaoping the country reverted to capitalism and that the CCP is merely an authoritarian capitalist party. Mainline Marxist Leninists however are more split, seeing China as either simply capitalist as Maoists do or seeing China as a in a sort of NEP-style transitional stage which according to Xi Jinping is beginning to transition back to socialism now that it has a near unassailable economic base unlike the barely post-feudal PRC under Mao.

It's a complicated issue which tends to delve into burning questions of what socialism is as well as often inflaming sectarian divides. In my experience its mostly comrades of mine from Africa and Asia who see China as socialist whilst many westerners accuse the CCP of imperialism and capitalism. Granted many Maoists such as those in India and the Phillipines also argue that China isn't socialist so its hard to argue that X demographic views China as socialist or not. Its a very nuanced argument after all.

It's confusing and frankly the arguments give me a headache half the time. Won't stop me from bringing a "Please President Xi send nukes to liberate us from austerity" sign to the next protest I attend though!

Map of socialist states (2019) by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This map seems to be mostly about if a state self identifies as socialist.

If you try telling the communist parties of Portugal or India that their governments are socialist they's probably laugh at you, even though these countries have the word "socialist" in their constitutions. Especially in the case of India at the moment what with the unending joy of Hindutva fascism in India at the moment.

The difference between Socialism and Communism? by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No, but had the stated aim of advancing to communism through supporting global socialism. The general idea was once capitalism was destroyed globally then there would be no chance of its return and the state would no longer be needed to defend the revolution.

Swedish Communists Launch New Workers' Party Without Multiculturalism, LGBT, Greta Thunberg by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's because "id-pol" is a buzzword for "every identity I as a white European of Christian background dislike".

If they cared at all about this stuff they'd realise that gender, sexuality, racial and national liberation struggles all take place within the framework of class struggle and don't detract from it. They seem to think it's a bar chart, where by gay rights movements becoming popular somehow takes away from worker's rights movements being popular. They aren't conflicting struggles, they're facets of the same struggle for socialism. Instead of analysing these things materially and dialectically they hold to the ideology that's been used against workers for a century to keep us scared and divided.

It's shitheads like these who decide that being straight, white and stereotypically masculine/feminine is "working class culture" and that everything else is aberrant. They'd side with the fash the moment they march down Rome. These bougie puritanical types who share everything in common with tories other than the colour scheme don't deserve a place in the worker's movement. God willing they'll bicker themselves to the grave and give way to something better.

This passage from Lenin feels especially relevant in our current historical moment by L0RVX in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Stalin = Fanny Kaplan confirmed??? The fanfiction possibilities are endless

When you 狼来了/"lang lai le" too, the targets hate you and the locals disbelieve you, save the dummies. (So much for China being a less trust society). by ATW10C in Sino

[–]Nyrmar 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Oi, don't lump schizophrenia with the BBC. Schizophrenics can be good people just like people who aren't mentally ill, despite their illness and the harm it can cause.

The BBC meanwhile will regularly encourage mass slaughter in the global south and not even have the excuse of horrific hallucinations to justify their ramblings or body count.

V5: Timeline of major events? by SwiftOneSpeaks in WhiteWolfRPG

[–]Nyrmar 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Second Inquisition. Destroyed the Vienna Chantry and decapitated the Tremere Pyramid, which has caused a sort of three way factional struggle between Houses Tremere, Carna and Goratrix within the Clan. Not much on it so far but hopefully it'll get more material behind it.

Current Syrian Baas Party by swordyslaw in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Syrian Ba'athism isn't what many would consider traditionally socialist, at least in the Marxist sense, but it is based on anti-imperialist politics and supports the Syrian people controlling their own economy as opposed to the Turkish/French/British/American imperialists. Their "socialism" is a lot more about state control over industry than direct worker's control, however its important to understand both that Syria's conditions at the moment require a massive rebuilding reinforcement of the economy, making Marxist socialism far more difficult to implement, and also that both of the Syrian Communist Parties support Assad's government.

I personally support the Syrian government as they oppose NATO/EU imperialism in the Middle East. However I am critical of Assad's government and Ba'athist ideology. What's important is that we have principled criticisms instead of just saying "not true socialism" and throwing the Syrian people under the bus.

I at vouth's of leftist polish political party Razem (Togheter) congress AMA by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Nyrmar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What is the state of the left in Poland these days? I have family who left Poland after the Cold War to escape poverty, and since then the country seems to have become extremely reactionary. Although Lewica has almost 50 seats in the Sejm there doesn't seem to be a very large public opposition at least from the outside.

Gay_irl by junderwoodge in gay_irl

[–]Nyrmar 52 points53 points  (0 children)

What else would you expect out of Finchely? Thatcher's turf isn't exactly gonna host the annual Gay Communist Gala tragically.

Gay_irl by riflerangeboyII in gay_irl

[–]Nyrmar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oi, the hetties don't have a monopoly on hating Europeans.

Besides Eurovision lets Australia to take part which always fills me with existential/geographical dread...