The US right keeps accusing Democrats of ‘communism’. What does that even mean? | Jan-Werner Müller

Conservatives think giving children free lunch at school is socialism, but vast, powerful private monopolies are freedom

The Trump campaign, flanked by an army of online trolls commanded by Elon Musk, has been struggling to settle on an attack line against the Democratic ticket. Of course, a decade or so ago no one would have thought a candidate unable to think of nasty nicknames had a problem; but Donald Trump has made us all ask stupider questions and have stupider thoughts. If in doubt, though – and no matter what any Democrat actually does or says – the Republican party will level the charges of “socialism” and “communism” against them.

To state the obvious: free lunches – ensuring that poor kids won’t go hungry – are not communism. The one time in recent history that the US clearly resembled the Soviet Union – empty shelves and long lines outside shops – was under Trump; to be sure, other countries also had supply chain problems during Covid-19, but the former president proved exceptionally irresponsible and incompetent. But there’s another, less obvious similarity with the late Soviet Union in particular: the experience of being at the mercy of bureaucrats. No, not the DMV, but vast private corporations with quasi-monopoly power, something with which Trump’s Republican party, unlike the Biden administration, is evidently fine.

Jan-Werner Müller is a professor of politics at Princeton University and a Guardian US columnist

Date:

Save story

Topics

More from The Guardian

The Guardian - World
Israeli strikes in Syria kill at least 25, war monitor says

State media says more than 40 injured as military research centre for arms production hit, according to sources. Middle East crisis – live updates Israeli jets have launched a substantial ...
56 minutes ago - Israel
The Guardian - World
Harris endorsed by 10 former top military officials who call Trump a ‘danger to national security’ – live

Ten retired top brass say Harris is only candidate fit to serve as commander in chief as ad shows former Trump officials saying he is a danger to the US. The letter by National Security Leaders ...
27 minutes ago - Donald Trump
The Guardian - World
Man fled country after allegedly throwing hot coffee on baby in Brisbane park, police say

Police working with international partners to try to find foreign national, 33, who allegedly poured scalding liquid on nine-month-old boy. The man who allegedly poured scalding coffee on a ...
8 hours ago
The Guardian - World
Warm fronts to Y-fronts: Chinese city hit by underwear storm

Chongqing authorities say cloud seeding to break heatwave did not cause winds that sent laundry flying. It was the talk of the town. After the authorities sought to break a long-running heatwave in ...
2 hours ago
The Guardian - World
Succession battle for Murdoch empire to play out in secret in Nevada court

Rupert Murdoch and his oldest son, Lachlan, are seeking to strip media magnate’s other adult children of voting power. The battle between Rupert Murdoch and his children over the future of his ...
24 minutes ago

The US right keeps accusing Democrats of ‘communism’. What does that even mean? | Jan-Werner Müller

Topics

See also

The US doesn’t dominate the Paralympics as it does the Olympics. Does it matter?

The US doesn’t dominate the Paralympics as it does the Olympics. Does it matter?

How does Justin Fields keep up with Kirk Cousins, Falcons in Week 1? 'NFL GameDay Morning'

Amazon Wants Your Palm and TSA Wants Your Face. What Saying Yes Will Mean.

Jordan Love injury: What this means for Packers, list of potential replacements as QB expected to miss time

Democrats go to new heights to spotlight Project 2025, flying banners over college football stadiums

What a Rough Second Half Means for World Series Hopefuls

Brazil's Lula fires human rights minister accused of sexual misconduct

Does the US Open’s Billionaire Girls Club show money trumps talent?

More from The Guardian

Israeli strikes in Syria kill at least 25, war monitor says

Harris endorsed by 10 former top military officials who call Trump a ‘danger to national security’ – live

Man fled country after allegedly throwing hot coffee on baby in Brisbane park, police say

Warm fronts to Y-fronts: Chinese city hit by underwear storm

Succession battle for Murdoch empire to play out in secret in Nevada court