It's a meme and not a good one. Social democracy is not fascism, it's liberalism. Fascism is both anti-socialist and anti-liberal, while liberalism is just anti-socialist. Fascist theory and praxis looks nothing like liberal theory or praxis. Yes, fascists and liberals will ally against socialism when the chips are down, that doesn't make them the same thing.
I think a better way to describe the relationship between social democrats and fascists is that social democrats are the left wing of capitalism and fascists are the right wing of capitalism.
yes, fascists and liberals will ally against socialism when the chips are down
This is kind of what I think the ultimate point Stalin was making is, that materially at that point what’s the difference? They’re both United as our enemy. Sure we can split hairs and talk about semantics but practically speaking socdems will pretend to be our allies and then betray us when shit gets real.
It’s definitely hyperbole and you’re technically right that there’s a difference but when you’re in the trenches and thinking about who’s the enemy, well they both are.
I just cant see it as the 'left wing of capitalism' because ever since the neoliberal/austrian takeover of the 1970s & 80s it has categorically rejected any regulation or oversight and is opposed to any form of compromise and will seek to undermine any no matter how mild.
the so called "overton window" of the capitalism spectrum basically has been skewing right ever since then. "left wing capitalism" is just woke neoliberalism now days. even basic keynesian economics is considered ultra radical and off the spectrum.
It's a meme and not a good one. Social democracy is not fascism, it's liberalism. Fascism is both anti-socialist and anti-liberal, while liberalism is just anti-socialist. Fascist theory and praxis looks nothing like liberal theory or praxis. Yes, fascists and liberals will ally against socialism when the chips are down, that doesn't make them the same thing.
I think a better way to describe the relationship between social democrats and fascists is that social democrats are the left wing of capitalism and fascists are the right wing of capitalism.
This is kind of what I think the ultimate point Stalin was making is, that materially at that point what’s the difference? They’re both United as our enemy. Sure we can split hairs and talk about semantics but practically speaking socdems will pretend to be our allies and then betray us when shit gets real.
It’s definitely hyperbole and you’re technically right that there’s a difference but when you’re in the trenches and thinking about who’s the enemy, well they both are.
I just cant see it as the 'left wing of capitalism' because ever since the neoliberal/austrian takeover of the 1970s & 80s it has categorically rejected any regulation or oversight and is opposed to any form of compromise and will seek to undermine any no matter how mild.
the so called "overton window" of the capitalism spectrum basically has been skewing right ever since then. "left wing capitalism" is just woke neoliberalism now days. even basic keynesian economics is considered ultra radical and off the spectrum.