MAGA communism

[RD2003]

Don't know if this has been covered in other threads.

It may be a gimmicky internet-based thing, but seems yet one more example of what happens as societies fragment (partly under the impact of people living their lives online), and the old ideological divides increasingly come to mean less. Especially to those born and raised in the neo-liberal age. I was particularly interested in (and sceptical about) the claim that some young US Republicans are open to socialist ideas.

‘A deranged fringe movement’: what is Maga communism, the online ideology platformed by Tucker Carlson?

Two young men are promoting a grab-bag ideology celebrating ‘honor’ and condemning ‘global elites’ – and winning powerful friends on the right

www.theguardian.com

 

[RevolutionSound]

fascism has always pretended to be anti capitalist, its nothing new

 

[wemakeyousoundb]

fascism has always pretended to be anti capitalist, its nothing new

but
is anti capitalism, communism?

 

[RevolutionSound]

but
is anti capitalism, communism?

not necessarily, no

 

[Raheem]

Maga is a form of nationalism.
Communism is a form of socialism.

So, no, nothing new or surprising in combining the two ideas at a surface level.

 

[two sheds]

Don't know if this has been covered in other threads.

It may be a gimmicky internet-based thing, but seems yet one more example of what happens as societies fragment (partly under the impact of people living their lives online), and the old ideological divides increasingly come to mean less. Especially to those born and raised in the neo-liberal age. I was particularly interested in (and sceptical about) the claim that some young US Republicans are open to socialist ideas.

‘A deranged fringe movement’: what is Maga communism, the online ideology platformed by Tucker Carlson?

Two young men are promoting a grab-bag ideology celebrating ‘honor’ and condemning ‘global elites’ – and winning powerful friends on the right

www.theguardian.com

"condemning ‘global elites’ – and winning powerful friends on the right"

so condemning global elites with funding by ... global elites

 

[Raheem]

I haven't looked very deeply into it, but I think "communism" mainly stands in for liking Putin, rather than actual communism.

 

[RD2003]

"condemning ‘global elites’ – and winning powerful friends on the right"

so condemning global elites with funding by ... global elites

As I said, as societies continue to fragment ideolological confusion increases. Those who look favourably on Trump, for instance, see no contradiction between his membership of 'the elite' and their hostility towards 'the elites.'

Of course, such people are not really hostile towards any elite. They are hostile to their own predicament, and therefore seek enemies among the easiest targets. And as nobody knows how to effectively counter them, let alone win at least some them over, the stupidity of the so-called culture wars becomes our permanent condition.

 

[Raheem]

As I said, as societies continue to fragment ideolological confusion increases. Those who look favourably on Trump, for instance, see no contradiction between his membership of 'the elite' and their hostility towards 'the elites.'

Of course, such people are not really hostile towards any elite. They are hostile to their own predicament, and therefore seek enemies among the easiest targets. And as nobody knows how to effectively counter them, let alone win at least some them over, the stupidity of the so-called culture wars becomes our permanent condition.

Wrong way to analyse. We are not dealing with something that has sprung from the slums, but something that has been offered for consideration by talking heads of the American far-right.

 

[RD2003]

Wrong way to analyse. We are not dealing with something that has sprung from the slums, but something that has been offered for consideration by talking heads of the American far-right.

I never said anything had sprung from the slums. It's sprung largely from the online world as far as I can tell.

 

[Raheem]

I never said anything had sprung from the slums. It's sprung largely from the online world as far as I can tell.

What brings you to this implausible conclusion?

 

[RD2003]

What brings you to this implausible conclusion?

US right wing talking heads, as you say. Online. Getting a mass audience.

Couldn't really understand where the slums came into it. Although people in slums across the western world are clearly going to access this stuff and be influenced by it.

 

[Raheem]

US right wing talking heads, as you say. Online. Getting a mass audience.

Couldn't really understand where the slums came into it. Although people in slums across the western world are clearly going to access this stuff and be influenced by it.

They already get a mass audience! It doesn't make their latest guff an expression of popular sentiment. Albeit that popular sentiment may be expressed consequently. Or it may not and they will move on to the next thing.

The starting point is "why have they come up with this, does it have legs and if so why?".

Imagine this as grassroots politics at your own risk.

 

[RD2003]

They already get a mass audience! It doesn't make their latest guff an expression of popular sentiment. Albeit that popular sentiment may be expressed consequently. Or it may not and they will move on to the next thing.

The starting point is "why have they come up with this, does it have legs and if so why?".

Imagine this as grassroots politics at your own risk.

Not really sure what you're arguing against here, as nobody has said it's an expression of grassroots politics. Although if they did I'm sure the 'risk' would be minimal.

 

[Raheem]

Not really sure what you're arguing against here, as nobody has said it's an expression of grassroots politics.

It's this bit

Of course, such people are not really hostile towards any elite. They are hostile to their own predicament, and therefore seek enemies among the easiest targets. And as nobody knows how to effectively counter them, let alone win at least some them over, the stupidity of the so-called culture wars becomes our permanent condition.

Here, you appear quite strongly to be supposing that this latest thing has its roots in common sentiment. But it does not. You are basing your analysis on imagining what drives imaginary people who don't exist. Yet.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

An idea too dumb to even analyse

 

[Dogsauce]

Isn’t it mostly just internet grifters being edgy for clicks? And those who think Russia is somehow still communist, so sharing pro-Russia right-wing nationalist shit is somehow ‘commie’?

 

[RD2003]

An idea too dumb to even analyse

Maybe so, and I suspect it will go nowhere, but since when did something being a dumb idea stop it gaining traction?

 

[RD2003]

Isn’t it mostly just internet grifters being edgy for clicks? And those who think Russia is somehow still communist, so sharing pro-Russia right-wing nationalist shit is somehow ‘commie’?

I don't think I've ever come across anybody who supports the Putin regime who thinks it's communist, even when they are themselves.

 

[NoXion]

Latter-day Strasserites at best. They'll be cast aside, if not outright long-knived, should the MAGA mob seize complete power.

 

[Karl Masks]

Jackson Hinkle, the guy that invented this, has a huge social media following. He's a massive grifter ofc

 

[JimW]

Jackson Hinkle

If you were asked to make up a name you couldn't do better.

 

[Rimbaud]

As others have said, I think this is much more a social media phenomenon than anything else. The fact it is obviously contradictory is part of the appeal, it is just about getting clicks and building a unique brand.

 

[Karl Masks]

If you were asked to make up a name you couldn't do better.

He looks the part too