For most people, “socialism” is an unclear or even scary word. This hinders the willingness to engage with its ideas or even consider it a viable alternative to whatever we are running on now.
So, (Sunday hot take!): why not stop using the word when advocating for “socialist ideas” or the “abandonment of capitalism” etc.?
My suggestion for a new term is Capitalism 2.0; because consider the following thought process:
feudalism –› capitalism –› socialism = nooo, they gonna steal my toothbrush😭
feudalism –› capitalism –› capitalism 2.0. = omg, finally things will get better! 🥳
That framing could alleviate negative associations and misconceptions and as a result make all kinds of people more open to exploring and questioning the principles and structures that are hindering global progress.
if people find out that they’ve been tricked into supporting socialism, i get the feeling that it’s going to backfire really hard.
also, you’ll need to keep rebranding it every time it gets presented as evil by bougie media, as fiona said.
You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you, it was SOCIALISM all along!!!