The Comrade Courant

What Is a Tankie—and Why You Don’t Want to Be One On authoritarianism, anti-imperialism, and the betrayal of socialist principles In leftist discourse, few terms carry as much heat as “tankie.” It’s hurled in online arguments, whispered in organizing meetings, and increasingly invoked to describe a certain strain of pro-authoritarian “leftism” that defends dictators under the banner of anti-imperialism. But the term isn’t just internet slang. It has a precise historical origin—and a political meaning that every socialist should understand. “Maximum Tankie” by Red & Black Salamander (9mmballpoint.blogspot.com). Used under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The Origin of the Term The word “tankie” emerged in 1956, when Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian Revolution—a popular uprising of workers and students demanding democratic socialism. Members of the Communist Party of Great Britain who defended this violent suppression were derisively ...

Solidarity in the Face of Hate: Manchester Attack a Symptom of a Failing System Why socialist solidarity, not empty rhetoric, is the true answer to antisemitic violence Published: October 3, 2025 | Category: Analysis & Commentary The violent attack on a synagogue in the heart of Manchester this past Friday has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving a nation grappling with a familiar and ugly spectre. As socialists, we condemn this act of antisemitic terror in the strongest possible terms. An attack on a house of worship, on people gathered in peace, is an attack on the very notion of community and solidarity we strive to build. According to reports from the scene, a 42-year-old man armed with a makeshift weapon stormed the synagogue during a service, stabbing a man in his seventies and a police officer who responded with immense bravery. The swift intervention of these officers undoubtedly prevented a greater tragedy. The assail...