A hardline Stalinist. A tankie is a member of a communist group or a "fellow traveller" (sympathiser) who believes fully in the political system of the Soviet Union and defends/defended the actions of the Soviet Union and other accredited states (China, Serbia, etc.) to the hilt, even in cases where other communists criticise their policies or actions. For instance, such a person favours overseas interventions by Soviet-style states, defends these regimes when they engage in human rights violations, and wishes to establish a similar system in other countries such as Britain and America.
The term is used to distinguish the rare individuals with these kinds of beliefs from communists more broadly (including Communist Party members), whose adherence to Soviet doctrine and attachment to existing "socialist" states is somewhat weaker.
It is always more-or-less abusive in the sense that those termed tankies do not use the term themselves, but it doesn't have any particular bite (unlike, say, Trot).
The term derives from the fact that the divisions within the communist movement first arose when the Soviet Union sent tanks into communist Hungary in 1956, to crush an attempt to establish an alternative version of communism which was not embraced by the Russians. Most communists outside the eastern bloc opposed this action and criticised the Soviet Union. The "tankies" were those who said "send the tanks in".
The epithet has stuck because tankies also supported "sending the tanks in" in cases such as Czechoslovakia 1968, Afghanistan 1979, Bosnia and Kosovo/a (in the case of the Serbian state), and so on (whereas the rest of the communist movement has gravitated towards anti-militarism).
The term is used to distinguish the rare individuals with these kinds of beliefs from communists more broadly (including Communist Party members), whose adherence to Soviet doctrine and attachment to existing "socialist" states is somewhat weaker.
It is always more-or-less abusive in the sense that those termed tankies do not use the term themselves, but it doesn't have any particular bite (unlike, say, Trot).
The term derives from the fact that the divisions within the communist movement first arose when the Soviet Union sent tanks into communist Hungary in 1956, to crush an attempt to establish an alternative version of communism which was not embraced by the Russians. Most communists outside the eastern bloc opposed this action and criticised the Soviet Union. The "tankies" were those who said "send the tanks in".
The epithet has stuck because tankies also supported "sending the tanks in" in cases such as Czechoslovakia 1968, Afghanistan 1979, Bosnia and Kosovo/a (in the case of the Serbian state), and so on (whereas the rest of the communist movement has gravitated towards anti-militarism).
I wouldn't be surprised if the tankies even defend Saddam Hussein.
Some of the people round George W Bush used to be left-wing, but they haven't really changed their views much; they were mostly tankies.
Some of the people round George W Bush used to be left-wing, but they haven't really changed their views much; they were mostly tankies.
by Andy April 20, 2004
Get the tankie mug.Vocalist/Musician of System Of A Down, who recently went on Hiatus to persue other musical interests. Serj has since started a record business named "Serjical Strike". "Axis of Justice", a group set up to promote said record company and to allow unknown atrists to make it in the world with their music. Along with these Achievements he has also written and composed a whole album by himself named "Elect the Dead", a pretty kick-ass album if I do say so myself
"Did you hear that song by Serj Tankian, 'Honking Antelope'?"
"Yeah i heard that song just the other day, Pretty London, Ireland!!"
"Yeah i heard that song just the other day, Pretty London, Ireland!!"
by The Educated One August 5, 2008
Get the Serj Tankian mug.Related Words
Tanuki
• tanuki energy
• tanukialan
• Tanuki Wedgie
• tanukiphobic
• tankie
• Tanking
• Tankin'
• Taukir
• tankianism
A really talented man with a very beautiful face (have you seen him smile...makes me weak to think about it) and a voice that radiates passion. He is the most entertaining singer EVER!
by BHEENHA January 10, 2004
Get the serj tankian mug.Tanukialan is a twitch streamer that plays mario maker and more and once they get in a level they refuse to stop playing it until its been beat
person 1: hey, did you watch Tanukialan on Twitch yesterday?
person 2: Yeah, I did he is really enthusiastic about that game.
person 2: Yeah, I did he is really enthusiastic about that game.
by 420caleb69 May 28, 2020
Get the tanukialan mug.by secondrenaissance February 20, 2004
Get the Serj Tankian mug.Oscar could have avoided sky tanking Fran if he didn't have that 5 layer burrito .
sky tanking space docking burrito vagina fart shit
sky tanking space docking burrito vagina fart shit
by dAVIE k January 4, 2010
Get the Sky Tanking mug.The brilliant vocals in System of a Down.
Has a jolly good beard!!
A lovely poet.
Uses the phrase "and what not" a lot.
Fucking beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
Has a jolly good beard!!
A lovely poet.
Uses the phrase "and what not" a lot.
Fucking beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
by SOAD rules December 23, 2003
Get the Serj Tankian mug.