• Grayox@lemmy.ml
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    10 months ago

    Yes that’s the OG definition, but as of late it has become a catch all for people anywhere left of classical lib.

    • almar_quigley@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Disagree. Maybe as used by right wing folks but it’s definitely used to describe apologists of authoritarian regimes claiming to be communist, ie China and Russia.

    • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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      10 months ago

      It depends where, but I’ve only really seen it said on Lemmy in discussions regarding international relations and my time on Reddit has been significantly reduced.

      I have also seen a lot of people on Lemmy who are obvious tankies argue that it is a slur against communist supporters rather than a specific criticism about tribalism, realpolitik, and internal imperialism engaged by communist countries.

      It is in the vested interest of tankies to change the meaning of the word.

      • abbotsbury@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        It is used as a slur against unapologetic socialists and communists sometimes, although actual tankies would like to pretend it’s only a slur and not descriptive of Stalinists.