I had good result with not arguing whether Stalin is bad or good and such, but to talk about how real existing history looks like.
Show how states work, how the US tortures and bombs, how Indonesia killed tens of thousands or even hundred of thousands of communists, how hundred thousands of people were murdered by the capitalist-nationalist side in Vietnam.
Then talk isn't about tankieness, but historical reality. From there on one can argue about how capitalists always try to crush rebellions, e.g. Haiti and how France, UK, Netherlands, etc. tried to crush the revolution in Haiti.
How after 1917 the Germans, French, UK, etc. tried to crush the Soviets and how a lot of decisions are made with incomplete information and out of material reasons.
The Covid pandemic shows how capitalist nations suck at acting rational (if you think their rationality is securing the people's health). This can be compared.
At last show that one of the best socialist rulers Sankara was murdered cause he wasn't Tankie enough.
I had good result with not arguing whether Stalin is bad or good and such, but to talk about how real existing history looks like.
Show how states work, how the US tortures and bombs, how Indonesia killed tens of thousands or even hundred of thousands of communists, how hundred thousands of people were murdered by the capitalist-nationalist side in Vietnam.
Then talk isn't about tankieness, but historical reality. From there on one can argue about how capitalists always try to crush rebellions, e.g. Haiti and how France, UK, Netherlands, etc. tried to crush the revolution in Haiti.
How after 1917 the Germans, French, UK, etc. tried to crush the Soviets and how a lot of decisions are made with incomplete information and out of material reasons.
The Covid pandemic shows how capitalist nations suck at acting rational (if you think their rationality is securing the people's health). This can be compared.
At last show that one of the best socialist rulers Sankara was murdered cause he wasn't Tankie enough.