In my opinion, using terms like ‘capitalism’ or ‘socialism’ or ‘fascism’ is a losing game for anyone except the Right.
The second you use those terms you get forced into a fight about the definitions and get sidetracked from the actual issues at hand.
Substitute other terms instead. Don’t say “Why can’t we have Socialist healthcare like Sweden?” say “why can’t we have the kind of health care Eisenhower offered in 1956?”
I agree with this approach, most people hate politics. They either have an aversion to words like these or, use them incorrectly.
I think a very large part of educating, agitating and organizing is meeting people where they are. Once they get over their aversion, one would hope they will become class conscious.
I am going to disagree with you on this. Here’s why:
No one forces anyone to fight about anything. It’s a choice you make. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone who is unwilling to hear reason, then you can choose to continue or you can walk away.
I also disagree with avoiding certain words simply because you’re concerned how other people will react to them (of course exceptions apply). Now if you can find a simpler, less controversial, way to express yourself, by all means keep it simple. Using “$5 words” in an attempt to make yourself sound smart or better than somebody else is counterproductive. And, in most cases whether you talk about “Socialist healthcare in Sweden” or “health care Eisenhower offered” is moot, because a bad actor is going to twist your words regardless.
Finally, in the context of this thread, we are specifically talking about Capitalism, so it makes little sense to skirt around the term. Some might as well embrace it and explore it as far as we can.
In my opinion, using terms like ‘capitalism’ or ‘socialism’ or ‘fascism’ is a losing game for anyone except the Right.
The second you use those terms you get forced into a fight about the definitions and get sidetracked from the actual issues at hand.
Substitute other terms instead. Don’t say “Why can’t we have Socialist healthcare like Sweden?” say “why can’t we have the kind of health care Eisenhower offered in 1956?”
I agree with this approach, most people hate politics. They either have an aversion to words like these or, use them incorrectly.
I think a very large part of educating, agitating and organizing is meeting people where they are. Once they get over their aversion, one would hope they will become class conscious.
Exactly. Trying to force people to use your terminology only makes them resent you.
Put your argument in terms they understand.
I am going to disagree with you on this. Here’s why:
No one forces anyone to fight about anything. It’s a choice you make. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone who is unwilling to hear reason, then you can choose to continue or you can walk away.
I also disagree with avoiding certain words simply because you’re concerned how other people will react to them (of course exceptions apply). Now if you can find a simpler, less controversial, way to express yourself, by all means keep it simple. Using “$5 words” in an attempt to make yourself sound smart or better than somebody else is counterproductive. And, in most cases whether you talk about “Socialist healthcare in Sweden” or “health care Eisenhower offered” is moot, because a bad actor is going to twist your words regardless.
Finally, in the context of this thread, we are specifically talking about Capitalism, so it makes little sense to skirt around the term. Some might as well embrace it and explore it as far as we can.
There’s a giant difference between a discussion between two people and a political campaign.
And you’re right, anyone can twist words, but it’s harder for them to twist “Eisenhower’s 1956 plan” than it is to scream about Socialism.