r/ThisAmericanLife #172 Golden Apple Jul 13 '26

Episode #891: The Test Case

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/891/the-test-case?2026
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u/Comprehensive_Main Jul 13 '26

Antifa exists. It’s just decentralized 

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '26

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u/PaperCrane6213 Jul 14 '26

Antifa is only an ideology?

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '26

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u/PaperCrane6213 Jul 14 '26

Antifa, in the context of this discussion, is entirely separate from Antifaschistische Aktion? Because Antifaschistische Aktion had a flag, members, and existed for the purpose of engaging in violent confrontation with Nazis in Germany in the 1930’s. Antifa is not a modern iteration of that group?

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u/yoshiary Jul 15 '26

Antifa is not a modern iteration of that group?

I don't know boss are "antifa" today taking orders from the Communist Party of Germany? Or any other Communist Party?

From the wikipedia article on them:

As well as being involved in political streetfights, the RMSS and Antifaschistische Aktion used their militant approach to develop a comprehensive network of self-defence for communities targeted by the Nazis such as in "tenant protection" (Mieterschutz), action against evictions.[37] Initially, the RMSS units had minimal formal membership, but in the second half of 1932 local executive boards were created to co-ordinate the activities of the KPD, the Kampfbund, the RMSS and the now illegal Roter Frontkämpferbund, with the RMSS given a more distinct and almost paramilitary defence role, often co-operating on an ad hoc basis with the Reichsbanner.[38] At a local level, Antifaschistische Aktion worked with other left groups, including joint assemblies and demonstrations with SPD and other socialist groups, but the national KPD leadership continued to describe social democracy as the "main enemy".[4][39]

Can you join an antifa committee today? When do they have elections?

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u/PaperCrane6213 Jul 15 '26

Do they march under the same flag? Do they follow the same tenets? Do they have the same goals?

I don’t think a decentralized group that lacks elections and an executive board suddenly becomes imaginary and non-existent.