A war between fascists and communists? The soviets backed the communists and Hitler and Mussolini backed the fascists.

I would have stayed out of it and moved. I'm a democrat.

That said, I've read that most democrats who were there fought on the communists side....Orwell did...though he quickly became disillusioned with the communists...So if I were forced to pick a side I would have fought for them rather than Franco.

Edited by Stirlingsays (17 Oct 2017 1.36pm)

Its reductive of the Spanish civil war to reduce it down to Fascists vs Communists.

The democratically elected government (left learning NOT communist) were subject to a military coup, supported by conservative elements of Spanish society, which included the two Spanish fascist groups.

The republicans ranged from pro-capitalist liberals, members of the middle classes, workers through to ardent Anarchists and Communists.

Early on the roles of the Fascists and Communists were fairly limited - Germany, Italy, Mexico and the Soviet were keen to do business with the Nationalists and Republicans respectively - but the influence of National Socialists, Fascists and Communists grew as the war raged on, particularly in relation to the International Brigades.

But the war itself, wasn't really about Communists or Fascists at the outset.

I've never met pacifist fascists, or ones that respected the rights of others. Sooner or later, if you're going to stand up to the far right, you'll need to protect yourself.

I've never met pacifist fascists, or ones that respected the rights of others. Sooner or later, if you're going to stand up to the far right, you'll need to protect yourself.

I'm saying that the best ideas should always win popularity......If they don't prove to be good enough the system allows for them to be removed and different ideas to be tried.

In a system, without suppression of non violent ideas, where you are allowed to express ideas the 'presentation' is down to that particular group...as for any other....sure some ideas are backed by interests but that can only go so far without force.

Which ideas are you saying aren't given airtime? Also I think you are regarding people as fools, over a population, if you think they go against their personal interest....that's a value judgement.

Ukip came from nowhere and had very little airtime compared to more popular parties.

How much airtime did Marxism get?.....Trade unionsism get?

Ideas grow because there is a marketplace for them within the environment.

Edited by Stirlingsays (17 Oct 2017 2.17pm)

Farage was on the TV every five minutes and on the front of most newspapers every other day, particularly those for whom his narrow minded ideas would achieve the self interested goals of their proprietors.

Strong and stable seemed to be the best idea the Tories came up with last time and they are now in government.

Ideas like UBI, proper inheritance tax, the issue of rates of taxation of income vs capital get little to no discussion, despite meriting it. I've read lots of good ideas about how to improve the housing market, but none of these appear in the mainstream media or are discussed in parliament. It's within certain vested interests for the property market to stay broken.

Thinktanks and commitees filled with corporate interests

So you think greedy businessmen are bad for the national interest?

Far far more money was spent by remain than leave. Just like far more money was spent by Hilary than Trump.

Farage receives more negative media than positive, same with Trump and Corbyn.

Approaches in the marketplace win popularity over other ideologies in the marketplace. Whether you or I agree with them isn't the same thing.

If they don't produce well enough, they will be replaced.

Individual policies don't get the same chance.....that's true....they have to be argued by interest groups and think tanks....I don't see how that could be improved upon.

Edited by Stirlingsays (17 Oct 2017 3.27pm)