u/Sihplak - originally from r/GenZhou
The term “tankie” originated as a derogatory term to disparage those Communists who defended (IIRC) the 1956 Soviet action against the so-called “Hungarian revolution”, which involved moving tanks into Hungary (I might be wrong – it may be in reference to Prague in the 1960’s, but I think it was Hungary).
It became archaic, from what I understand, later in the 20th century and early 21st, especially as Communists in the West became less powerful, etc.
It started to regain popularity, from my awareness, in the 2000s and early 2010s as internet Marxist-Leninist personalities such as Jason Unruhe, The Finnish Bolshevik, etc were prevalent in early leftist discourse online in the sphere of Western media like YouTube. In disagreement with these personalities and other Marxist-Leninists, as online forums and social media became more prevalent, the term “tankie” saw a revival, but now as an exaggeration to refer to Marxist-Leninists in general, primarily levied by Anarchists.
In essence, it is the modern slang version of the word “Stalinist”, but that has a modern context to it that makes it more relevant to many of those who use it.
It spread to the broader population in the late 2010’s, mainly as Western MLs began to recognize the reality of China being a Socialist state and subsequently defending China in public forums. Anarchists and others in leftist spheres opposed to pro-China MLs would deride them as “tankies” confusing outsiders like regular Liberals, who would then ask what the term means, and boom, “tankie” spreads like wildfire.
Then, of course, “tankie” becomes morphed by Liberals against all Leftists and even non-Leftists. People will accuse someone of being a “tankie” for opposing American wars, supporting any kind of self-proclaimed Leftist organization, etc.
This is my understanding and description of the term based on my past 10 years on the internet and involvement in politics. Hopefully it helps.
u/SSR_Id_prefer_not_to - originally from r/GenZhou
In essence, it is the modern slang version of the word “Stalinist”, but that has a modern context to it that makes it more relevant to many of those who use it.
This is concise and very good; excellent comparison.
I think this is a great explainer (the whole post). And just as “Stalinist” tries to sully the ideology of MLism by playing into Western fear and bias, “Tankie” both emphasizes “authoritarianism”/violence (never mind the fact that the “tankie” shtick originated because the soviet army went in to stop a fascist coup against the people’s government) and infantalizes Marxist-Leninists, as if to say, look at all of these LARPING Tankies who wish they could live in the violent and backwards USSR (eg “bad Stalin does bad things”; “bad tankies do bad things”). It distills and exaggerates Western anti-communist talking points.
u/Sihplak - originally from r/GenZhouThe term “tankie” originated as a derogatory term to disparage those Communists who defended (IIRC) the 1956 Soviet action against the so-called “Hungarian revolution”, which involved moving tanks into Hungary (I might be wrong – it may be in reference to Prague in the 1960’s, but I think it was Hungary).
It became archaic, from what I understand, later in the 20th century and early 21st, especially as Communists in the West became less powerful, etc.
It started to regain popularity, from my awareness, in the 2000s and early 2010s as internet Marxist-Leninist personalities such as Jason Unruhe, The Finnish Bolshevik, etc were prevalent in early leftist discourse online in the sphere of Western media like YouTube. In disagreement with these personalities and other Marxist-Leninists, as online forums and social media became more prevalent, the term “tankie” saw a revival, but now as an exaggeration to refer to Marxist-Leninists in general, primarily levied by Anarchists.
In essence, it is the modern slang version of the word “Stalinist”, but that has a modern context to it that makes it more relevant to many of those who use it.
It spread to the broader population in the late 2010’s, mainly as Western MLs began to recognize the reality of China being a Socialist state and subsequently defending China in public forums. Anarchists and others in leftist spheres opposed to pro-China MLs would deride them as “tankies” confusing outsiders like regular Liberals, who would then ask what the term means, and boom, “tankie” spreads like wildfire.
Then, of course, “tankie” becomes morphed by Liberals against all Leftists and even non-Leftists. People will accuse someone of being a “tankie” for opposing American wars, supporting any kind of self-proclaimed Leftist organization, etc.
This is my understanding and description of the term based on my past 10 years on the internet and involvement in politics. Hopefully it helps.
u/SSR_Id_prefer_not_to - originally from r/GenZhouThis is concise and very good; excellent comparison.
I think this is a great explainer (the whole post). And just as “Stalinist” tries to sully the ideology of MLism by playing into Western fear and bias, “Tankie” both emphasizes “authoritarianism”/violence (never mind the fact that the “tankie” shtick originated because the soviet army went in to stop a fascist coup against the people’s government) and infantalizes Marxist-Leninists, as if to say, look at all of these LARPING Tankies who wish they could live in the violent and backwards USSR (eg “bad Stalin does bad things”; “bad tankies do bad things”). It distills and exaggerates Western anti-communist talking points.