You kinda cope in there by saying that the governments that called themselves socialist in the past were democratic, which is kind of not true for a lot of them. There’s degrees to it but for the most part they weren’t.

I would love some examples here. The Soviets conducted elections. The Chinese conduct elections. The Koreans conduct elections. The Cubans conduct elections. The Vietnamese conduct elections. My argument is not that any of their practices of democracy are without criticism, but that they are fundamentally more legitimate than any capitalist practice of democracy thanks to the elimination of bourgeois election influence ie PACs, donations, mass media campaigns, etc.

I think it’s smarter for us to distance ourselves from those governments as they ultimately didn’t really represent our views, not mine at least.

And I pointedly disagree with this. When you say "I am a socialist but every other socialist government was bad" you are severely undercutting your own argument right out of the gate. You should instead say, "I am a socialist because socialists have achieved great things" and fight back against the received propaganda about our movement that afflicts most of western society.

[–] trashgirlfriend@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago (6 children)

I would love some examples here. The Soviets conducted elections. The Chinese conduct elections. The Koreans conduct elections. The Cubans conduct elections. The Vietnamese conduct elections.

Comrades in this election you may democratically vote for the one candidate from our party, as the opponent tragically fell out of a window.

And I pointedly disagree with this. When you say "I am a socialist but every other socialist government was bad" you are severely undercutting your own argument right out of the gate.

When you associate yourself with authoritarian hellholes you become an unhinged weirdo to 90% of the population.

It's not the 1960s anymore, we know what these countries are/were like and if you really want to simp for them then don't be surprised people think you hate democracy.

[–] SSJMarx@lemm.ee 1 points 4 weeks ago (5 children)

we know what these countries are/were like

No you don't! That's my point! You believe a century of propaganda, and the only way that will change is if it is pushed back against at every opportunity!

[–] nyctre@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Nah, we do. Some of us actually grew up in them. But I'm sure you know best.

[–] SSJMarx@lemm.ee 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Some of us actually grew up in them.

So were you part of the majority that wanted to keep the Soviet Union? The majority that opposed German reunification? The majority that voted in a single socialist Korean government or the majority that supported the Vietnamese one? Because every time a socialist government is formed the same pattern plays out - the majority prosper, the majority support it, but the wealthy deposed ruling class cries about how they aren't allowed to be in charge anymore until the US gives them the backing they need to overthrow the people and reinstate their own dictatorship.

[–] nyctre@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

No, we were part of the majority that had money but nothing to spend it on because everything was rationed. From water and heating to tv time and groceries. There wasn't enough of anything because everything was going to export so at least on paper everything looked great and so you get to say stuff like "wow, that grass painted with toxic paint sure looks green from over here!"

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments (5 replies)