Lemmy libs never can 😁
2026-05-21 16:13 UTC
Replies (8)
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@Cowbee@lemmy.ml 2026-05-21 16:17
All states are “authoritarian” in that they are all tools by which the ruling class dominates the others. The working classes controlling a state still wield its authority to dominate capitalists, fascists, landlords, etc, but this use of authority liberates the majority. The authority question is therefore not a question of amount, but in whose hands, the working classes or capitalists.
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@BanMeFromPosting@hexbear.net 2026-05-21 17:25
Gonna repost myself but authoritarianism is difficult for libs to define because any serious understanding of the concept reveals it to be a tool for propaganda rather than understanding politics
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@Egriaga@lemmy.ml 2026-05-21 17:57
As defined by Wikipedia Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Authoritarian regimes may be either autocratic or oligarchic and may be based upon the rule of a party, the military, or the concentration of power in a single person.
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@Prunebutt@slrpnk.net 2026-05-21 18:32
Here are some definitions from A Modern Anarchism, by Daniel Baryon. Authoritarianism: The degree to which a power structure monopolizes control over the total social implementation of some power. Domination: The degree to which some power structure utilizes coercion, violence, and/or deception to achieve its ends. And his definition of power: When I say power I mean, quite simply, “the ability to successfully enact one’s will.” Please explain logically, how the term “western propaganda” would apply.
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@Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org 2026-05-21 18:39
It is the same as the United States and Silicon Valley; I won't defend China because I hate America, just as I can't ally with Baphomet just to kill Lucifer. I am politically pessimistic, so I don't believe that any good state, government or politician really exists, they are all equally disgusting and putrid, and as such, I hate each and every one of them equally.
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@calmblue75@lemmy.ml 2026-05-21 17:25
China is authoritarian So are Google, Facebook and windows. But these entities can’t be held accountable because they are “private companies”
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@Canonical_Warlock@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-05-21 23:49
Authoritarianism is when the government does stuff.
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@Prunebutt@slrpnk.net 2026-05-22 06:00
My previous comment was deleted because I was mean to Cowbee. But the man point is still valid, which is why I’ll comment again: Here are some definitions from A Modern Anarchism, by Daniel Baryon (aka “Anark”). Authoritarianism: The degree to which a power structure monopolizes control over the total social implementation of some power. Domination: The degree to which some power structure utilizes coercion, violence, and/or deception to achieve its ends. And his definition of power: When I say power I mean, quite simply, “the ability to successfully enact one’s will.” Please explain logically, how the term “western propaganda” would apply. Addendum: Someone claimed that this is a good thing if the proletariat is doing it. This is not a materialist stance however, because it presumes that the function of a system can be fundamentally changed by having people with the correct ideas doing the domination. Also, monopolization means that structural power is concentrated to benefit a minority. The proletariat is not a minority, however (which is basically the whole idea why most people should be socialists). That is why MLism creates a ruling class of bureaucrats that calls itself “proletariat”, although their material function doesn’t classify them as such. Then, someone claimed that the terms are supposedly loaded. These semantic discussions are pure formal critique, though. When clear definitions are given, it’s not a logical argument to claim a term sounds “too scary”. I will refrain to be mean to people I blocked. Sorry for that.