• Grayox
    link
    fedilink
    -911 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.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      2911 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      1011 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.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        311 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.