Political commentator Nick Shirley spoke with activist Chloe Cole about the growing visibility of socialist and communist ideas in American politics, with Cole arguing that those ideologies continue to attract support despite what she described as repeated historical failures.
Shirley opened the conversation by asking Cole for her thoughts on communism.
“Is on the rise, and what do you think about communism?” he asked.
Cole said she believes the ideology appeals to many people because of its simple promises.
“I think communism sells. It’s such a simple idea and message.”
She argued that although the concept is attractive on the surface, history has shown it does not succeed in practice.
“It obviously doesn’t work at all, but it’s something that you could so easily say to a young, naive college person or young person in general.”
Cole said supporters often promote policies by emphasizing free benefits.
“You can say everything should be free, and healthcare should be free, and universal, and education should be free, but people don’t really understand the ramifications behind that statement.”
According to Cole, these arguments are not new.
“So I mean, this is nothing new. People have been trying to sell the idea of socialism and communism for years and years and years.”
She pointed to political movements in Russia before the Soviet Union as an example.
“I mean, obviously, in pre-Soviet Russia, you had communism.”
Cole discussed the differences between the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks, comparing them to factions within modern American politics.
“That’s where a lot of it started. You had the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks, and the Mensheviks were kind of like your mainstream, run-of-the-mill Democrat, and then you had the Bolsheviks.”
She continued, “This was way back in like the 1800s, 1900s, and the Bolsheviks came in.”
Cole compared the Bolsheviks to what she described as today’s Democratic Socialists of America activists.
“They were kind of like the DSA activists of today.”
According to Cole, the Bolsheviks distinguished themselves by promising more expansive government benefits.
“They said, ‘Well, the Mensheviks and the Democrats aren’t being radical enough, and they aren’t promising you all the things that we’re promising you. We can give you free education and universal health care and all of these great things,’ and then they never deliver.”
Cole argued that the same pattern continues today.
“So that happened back in the day. It’s just like a recurring ideology.”
She added, “History is a big fat circle, and it’s happening again because it’s such an easy thing to sell.”
Cole pointed to several countries as evidence that communism has repeatedly failed.
“But it’s never worked.”
She continued, “Didn’t work in Russia or the Soviet Union or China or Venezuela.”
“Communism never works, but it’s such an easy idea to try to convince people to vote others in with.”
Cole concluded that understanding history is critical to preventing similar outcomes.
“So I hope that people read because those who know history do not repeat it.”
She added, “So we just have to teach kids why it doesn’t work.”
Shirley then asked Cole about the Democratic Socialists of America and what membership in the organization represents.
“What does it mean to be a part of a DSA and be a Democrat socialist? What’s that actually mean?”
Cole described the organization as distinct from traditional Democrats.
“So DSA is the Democratic Socialist of America, and it’s very, very scary.”
She argued that the group advances its goals through the Democratic Party.
“And the Democratic Socialists of America-they are using the Democratic wing of politics to Trojan horse all of their ideas through.”
Cole emphasized that she believes the organization differs substantially from mainstream Democratic politics.
“But they’re very different than mainstream Democrats.”
According to Cole, the group’s ultimate objective is much broader than ordinary policy disagreements.
“What these Democratic Socialists of America want to do is usher in communism and destroy America from within.”
She said she believes those views are openly expressed by some supporters.
“And I’m not being dramatic when I say that because there are many DSA members who are online all over X.”
Cole continued, “You can look it up, saying we want to take down the American Empire from within. We want to destroy Western civilization.”
She argued that the organization seeks to dismantle longstanding American institutions.
“They’re vastly they’re vastly different from the left.”
“They want to destroy all of the institutions that we hold near and dear here in America.”
Cole concluded by comparing those goals to the historical Bolshevik movement.
“They basically want to root out everything that our founders worked so hard to build and start again, just like the Bolsheviks did way back in the day.”
Her final warning was brief.
“Repeating cycles.”
WATCH:
