How to talk to republicans?

[RedLenin]

I'm just wondering how I can talk to republicans about my political views. The problem is if I say communism or anarchy once, they will imediately stop talking to me. How do I talk to them about my politics then? I would love to have a debate with one of them and hopefully get them to look into leftism. Suggestions would be apreciated. Thanks. :D

[(R)evolution of the mind]

I've also found that the moment you mention "anarchism" or "communism", everybody automatically stops listening, because they've been taught all their lives that anarchy = chaos and destruction, and communism = stalinism. I've noticed that much better results can be achieved with a leading approach: give the definition of a concept before its name. Tell them what kind of social organisation you would like to see, but do not say the c-word or a-word until there's not much more to be said. Tell them that you want workplaces where the democratically chosen managers are directly responsible to the workers, and so on, depending on what kind of organisation you want to see. This way you might at least be able to discuss the matter with them, if not outright convert them.

[herr_Nosferatu]

I've encountered the very same problem with my father this past month. He lives in the U.S. and shares ideals of capitalism and disregards my views of a hierarchy-less society and I've learned one immutable rule of thumb when speaking of politics with anyone:

Don't label yourself (I.E. I'm a communist, a socialist, an anarchist, a capitalist, a fascist or whatever you call yourself... ect..).

The problem you'll encounter the most is a wrongful interpretation of what you are...

For example: Most people don't know that anarchism is a political theory based on complex ideas and not just a chaotic state of destruction, hence if come out and bluntly say I'm an anarchist, they'll more often than not laugh at you and disregard your opinions.

Furhermore, the fact that time has evolved since Marx, Hengels, Proudhon came and brought to the table the basis of the left, I fell it makes it harder to live up to these views without having them change through time. I'm not saying to bow down to the man and accept compromise, just to try and analyse these theories and take the essence of these and throw away what's out of date...