this post was submitted on 17 Apr 2025
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Lefty Memes

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An international (English speaking) socialist Lemmy community free of the "ML" influence of instances like lemmy.ml and lemmygrad. This is a place for undogmatic shitposting and memes from a progressive, anti-capitalist and truly anti-imperialist perspective, regardless of specific ideology.

Serious posts, news, and discussion go in c/Socialism.

If you are new to socialism, you can ask questions and find resources over on c/Socialism101.

Please don't forget to help keep this community clean by reporting rule violations, updooting good contributions and downdooting those of low-quality!

Rules

Version without spoilers

0. Only post socialist memes


That refers to funny image macros and means that generally videos and screenshots are not allowed. Exceptions include explicitly humorous and short videos, as well as (social media) screenshots depicting a funny situation, joke, or joke picture relating to socialist movements, theory, societal issues, or political opponents. Examples would be the classic case of humorous Tumblr or Twitter posts/threads. (and no, agitprop text does not count as a meme)


0.5 [Provisional Rule] Use alt text or image descriptions to allow greater accessibility


We require alternative text (from now referred to as "alt text") to be added to all posts/comments containing media, such as images, animated GIFs, videos, audio files, and custom emojis.
EDIT: For files you share in the comments, a simple summary should be enough if they’re too complex.

We are committed to social equity and to reducing barriers of entry, including (digital) communication and culture. It takes each of us only a few moments to make a whole world of content (more) accessible to a bunch of folks.

When alt text is absent, a reminder will be issued. If you don't add the missing alt text within 48 hours, the post will be removed. No hard feelings.


1. Socialist Unity in the form of mutual respect and good faith interactions is enforced here


Try to keep an open mind, other schools of thought may offer points of view and analyses you haven't considered yet. Also: This is not a place for the Idealism vs. Materialism or rather Anarchism vs. Marxism debate(s), for that please visit c/AnarchismVsMarxism.


2. Anti-Imperialism means recognizing capitalist states like Russia and China as such


That means condemning (their) imperialism, even if it is of the "anti-USA" flavor.


3. No liberalism, (right-wing) revisionism or reactionaries.


That includes so called: Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism, Dengism, Market Socialism, Patriotic Socialism, National Bolshevism, Anarcho-Capitalism etc. . Anti-Socialist people and content have no place here, as well as the variety of "Marxist"-"Leninists" seen on lemmygrad and more specifically GenZedong (actual ML's are welcome as long as they agree to the rules and don't just copy paste/larp about stuff from a hundred years ago).


4. No Bigotry.


The only dangerous minority is the rich.


5. Don't demonize previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.


We must constructively learn from their mistakes, while acknowledging their achievements and recognizing when they have strayed away from socialist principles.

(if you are reading the rules to apply for modding this community, mention "Mantic Minotaur" when answering question 2)


6. Don't idolize/glorify previous and current socialist experiments or (leading) individuals.


Notable achievements in all spheres of society were made by various socialist/people's/democratic republics around the world. Mistakes, however, were made as well: bureaucratic castes of parasitic elites - as well as reactionary cults of personality - were established, many things were mismanaged and prejudice and bigotry sometimes replaced internationalism and progressiveness.



  1. Absolutely no posts or comments meant to relativize(/apologize for), advocate, promote or defend:

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Alt Text: Flowchart depicting the life cycle of social democracy (or "democratic socialism"). SocDems rise to power! (Revolution or reform) > Can't escape capitalist crisis, conditions worsen > Lose election > Standard capitalism is back! But it's unpleasant, people want something new... > Repeat or SocDems rise to power! > Turn to nationalism to pacify proletariat > Get owned > Standard capitalism is back! > Repeat.

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[–] HappyFrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I feel like this advocates against democracy...

[–] Commiunism@beehaw.org 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It is critical of liberal democracy, yes, but not all democracy like for instance, democracy in labor unions.

Not really feeling like writing a wall of text, but essentially, liberal democracies are just a form of a class rule of the bourgeoisie (the class of factory/land/business owners) given how much disproportionate power they have over the proletariat (the working class) through their media control, the need for campaign financing, the level of entry needed to even get into politics and connections needed, etc.

Notice how even with liberal democracy that we're told is the greatest thing since sliced bread or "rule by the people", the working class is weaker than ever in the west and the world is drifting towards fascism. It's not by accident, if there's any actual meaningful change to be had, one needs to act outside the democratic system, action which is inherently undemocratic.

I simplified it, but this isn't some radical looney tankie take - any Marxist or even some Anarchists might share the general sentiment.

[–] swab148@lemm.ee 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Anarchists wouldn't be against democracy, it's one of our core tenants. We'd absolutely be against authoritarianism in any form, however.

[–] Commiunism@beehaw.org 7 points 1 month ago

Never said Anarchists are against democracy as a whole, only that they're against liberal democracies and I'd argue even more so than other anti-capitalists.

After all, it is a form of rule, it directly supports a system that has private ownership/state monopolized violence/social hierarchies, the majority vote can still lead to oppression of the minority (like we see with US, UK, right-wing regimes across the world, erosion of workers rights), etc.

[–] masquenox@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago

There's something democratic about (so-called) "liberal democracy"?