,*APT] #e ,GEORGES ,SOREL'S ,AN>*O-,M>XISM ,PEOPLE 3 ,AU?OR 3 ,ALEX ,PRI*>D ,AU?OR 3 ,&REW ,CORNELL ,AU?OR 3 ,B5OIT ,*ALL& ,AU?OR 3 ,C>L ,LEVY ,TEXT 3 #e4 ,GEORGES ,SOREL'S ,AN>*O-,M>XISM ,R5ZO ,LLOR5TE ,:5 ONE CONSID]S ! TRAGIC HI/ORY ( ! 9T]NATIONAL WORK+-CLASS MOVEM5T S9CE #a#i#a#d1 ONE IS 9CL9$ TO REG>D ! DOCTR9E ( REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM ADVOCAT$ 444 BY ! 'NEW S*OOL' ( ,GEORGES ,SOREL1 ,$\>D ,B]?1 & ,>TURO ,LABRIOLA AS ONE ( ! MO/ 9T]E/+ & PROMIS+ =MS 9 :I* ,M>XIAN ?\ ,9TRODUCTION3 ,SOREL'S UNC]TA9 LEGACY ,GEORGES ,SOREL 7#a#h#d#g-#a#i#b#b7 WAS AN IMPORTANT FIGURE 9 ! DEVELOPM5T ( RADICAL LEFT-W+ !ORY DUR+ ! E>LY DECADES ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY1 & HIS IDEAS /RONGLY 9FLU5C$ ! WORK ( SOME MAJOR ,M>XI/ ?9K]S1 9CLUD+ ,ANTONIO ,GRAMSCI1.<#c#a#i.> ,GEORG ,LUKACS1.<#c#b.> ,JOSE ,C>LOS ,M>IATEGUI.<#c#b#a.> & ,ANTONIO ,LABRIOLA4.<#c#b#b.> ,TODAY1 H[EV]1 ! ,LEFT %[S V]Y LITTLE 9T]E/ 9 ,SOREL'S WRIT+S4 ,?IS LACK ( 9T]E/ IS REGRETTABLE1 = ,SOREL'S WORKS ADDRESS MANY ( ! C5TRAL !MES 9 EMANCIPATORY SOCIAL !ORY3 ! P]MISSIBLE USE ( VIOL5CE 9 POLITICAL /RUGGLES2 ! POSSIBILITIES & LIMITS ( P>LIAM5T>ISM2 ! ROLE ( 9TELLECTUALS 9 REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5TS2 ! ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES ( V>I\S REVOLUTION>Y /RATEGIES & ORGANIZATIONAL /RUCTURES2 ! CONTRA/ BETWE5 RE=M & REVOLUTION2 ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 LEFT-W+ POLITICAL P>TIES & ?OSE :OSE 9T]E/S !Y CLAIM TO REPRES5T2 ! TRANS=MATION ( ! B\RGEOIS /ATE2 & ! MORAL AIMS ( SOCIALISM4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! CONTEMPOR>Y T5D5CY TO IGNORE ,SOREL IS P]HAPS NOT SO SURPRIS+ AFT] ALL1 CONSID]+ ! GREAT DIV]G5CE ( OP9ION REG>D+ ! VALUE ( ,SOREL'S CONTRIBUTION TO POLITICAL ?\E ! VIEWS ( S*OL>S & ?9K]S SU* AS ,EUG5E ,KAM5KA1 ,JOHN ,GRAY & ,JOSE ,C>LOS ,M>IATEGUI4 ,KAM5KA1 A PHILOSOPH] & ,M>X S*OL>1 RANKS ,SOREL AMONG ! 'MO/ P]CEPTIVE EXPON5TS' ( SOCIALISM1.<#c#b#c.> :ILE ,GRAY 5DORSES ,CROCE'S DESCRIPTION ( ,SOREL AS '! MO/ ORIG9AL & IMPORTANT ,M>XI/ !ORI/ AFT] ,M>X HIMSELF4'.<#c#b#d.> ,= HIS P>T1 ,M>IATEGUI1 ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA'S GREATE/ ,M>XI/ WRIT]1 CONSID]S ,SOREL ',M>X'S MO/ VIGOR\S FOLL[] . 9444 . P]IOD ( SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC P>LIAM5T>ISM4'.<#c#b#e.> ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,GEORGE ,LI*!IM1 A HI/ORIAN ( ,M>XISM1 CALLS ,SOREL AN 'IRRESPONSIBLE *ATT]BOX' & A 'ROMANTIC LITT]ATEUR1'.<#c#b#f.> & ,L59 HIMSELF DISMISSES ,SOREL AS A 'NOTORI\S MUDDL]4'.<#c#b#g.> ,!SE HID+ ,SOREL HAVE >IS5 NOT ONLY 9 CONNECTION ) ! CALIB] & VALUE ( HIS WRIT+S2 !RE IS ALSO CONSID]ABLE DISAGREEM5T :5 IT COMES TO ! BASIC POLITICAL ORI5TATION ( HIS TEXTS3 ,DOES ,SOREL BELONG TO ! ,LEFT OR TO ! ,RIXI/S OR AMONG ! AN>*I/S8 ,) RESPECT TO ! FIR/ QUE/ION1 ,I ?9K IT IS CLE>1 9 LIE FUNDAM5TALLY MI/AK54.<#c#b#h.> ,H[1 !N1 TO RESPOND TO ! SECOND QUE/ION8 ,:I* LABEL BE/ DESCRIBES ,SOREL -- ',M>XI/' OR 'AN>*I/'8 ,TO BE SURE1 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE1 HIS MO/ IMPORTANT WORK AS A POLITICAL !ORI/ 7FIR/ PUBLI%$ 9 #a#i#h71 ,SOREL UNEQUIVOCALLY ID5TIFIES HIS 5T]PRISE ) ,M>XISM1 & MO/ WORKS 9 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY T5D TO CLASSIFY ,SOREL AS A ,M>XI/ ( SORTS4.<#c#b#i.> ,YET IT IS ALSO TRUE ?AT ,SOREL HAS1 AS ,J]EMY ,J5N+S PUTS IT1 'TRADITIONALLY BE5 REG>D$ AS ONE ( ! MO/ CONTROV]SIAL FIGURES 9 ! HI/ORY ( ,M>XISM4'.<#c#c.> ,:ILE !RE >E MANY FACTORS ?AT ACC\NT = ,SOREL'S CONTROV]SIAL /ATUS 9 ! HI/ORY ( ,M>XISM1 ONE REASON IS UND\BT$LY HIS DEBT TO ,PI]RE-,JOSEPH ,PR\DHON1 :OSE WORKS HAD A PR(\ND & LA/+ 9FLU5CE ON ,SOREL'S ?\ ,JOHN ,/ANLEY PO9TS \T1 'IT IS ,PR\DHON :O IS CIT$ MO/ FREQU5TLY 9 HIS .<,SOREL'S.> E>LY WRIT+S1' & ,/ANLEY GOES ON TO CLAIM ?AT '! ?9K] :O IS CLOSE/ TO ,SOREL IS 444 ,PI]RE-,JOSEPH ,PR\DHON4'.<#c#c#a.> ,IT IS P>TLY [+ TO ?IS AFF9ITY ?AT SOME COMM5TATORS1 SU* AS ,LI*!IM1 T5D TO CONSID] ,SOREL A ',PR\DHONI/1'.<#c#c#b.> :ILE O!RS VIEW HIM AS AN \TRI*I/4 ,9DE$1 ,IRV+ ,L\IS ,HOR[ITZ NOT ONLY 9CLUDES A SELECTION FROM ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE 9 HIS #aifd AN?OLOGY ( AN>*I/ TEXTS1 BUT ACTUALLY REF]S TO ,SOREL1 ALONG ) ,BAKUN91 ,MALATE/A & ,KROPOTK91 AS ONE ( '! CLASSICAL AN>*I/S1'.<#c#c#c.> & ,JAMES ,JOLL'S WELL-KN[N /UDY ( AN>*ISM ALSO DEVOTES SEV]AL PAGES TO ,SOREL'S ?\ ,:AT IS ONE TO MAKE ( SO MU* DISAGREEM5T 9 9T]PRET+ ,SOREL8 ,9 MY VIEW1 ! DISAGREEM5T & UNC]TA9TY /EM FROM ! FACT ?AT ! !ORETICAL BASIS = ! POSITION DEVELOP$ 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE IS 9 ESS5CE NEI!R ,M>XISM NOR AN>*ISM1 BUT RA!R A FAIRLY COH]5T1 IF IDIOSYNCRATIC1 V>IETY ( AN>*O-,M>XISM4 ,ACCORD+LY1 ,I W\LD PROPOSE ! T]M 'AN>*O-,M>XISM' TO DESCRIBE ,SOREL'S P]SPECTIVE1 AS ?IS T]M IS MORE ACCURATE ?AN EI!R ',M>XISM' OR 'AN>*ISM' &1 ON ! O!R H&1 MU* MORE ILLUM9AT+1 !ORETICALLY SPEAK+1 ?AN 'AN>*O-SYNDICALISM1' ! CU/OM>Y LABEL = HIS VIEWS4 ,BE=E DISCUSS+ ! AN>*O-,M>XI/ FEATURES ( ,SOREL'S ?\*I/ DOCTR9E ) FUNDAM5TAL ELEM5TS ( ,M>XISM4 ,9 ! CASE ( ,SOREL'S AN>*O-,M>XISM1 ?IS BL5D 9VOLVES1 9 ESS5CE1 A COMMITM5T TO ,M>XI/ SOCIAL & HI/ORICAL ANALYSIS 79CLUD+ ,M>X'S PHILOSOPHY ( HI/ORY1 ) ! !ORETICAL JU/IFICATION = SOCIALISM ?AT IT 5TAILS7 C\PL$ ) AN ESP\SAL ( :AT IS1 9 EFFECT1 AN AN>*I/ POLITICAL PRACTICE4 ,9 %ORT1 ! POLITICAL PR(ILE ,I HAVE 9 M9D 9 LABEL+ ,SOREL AN 'AN>*O-,M>XI/' IS NOT UNLIKE ?AT :I* ,DONALD ,CL>K ,HODGES EVOKES 9 CLAIM+ ?AT ,BAKUN9 WAS '! FIR/ AN>*O-,M>XI/1' ,BAKUN9 BE+ AN AN>*I/ ':O ACCEPT$ HIS .<,M>X'S.> !ORIES BUT REJECT$ HIS POLITICS AS AU?ORIT>IAN4'.<#c#c#e.> ,:E!R OR NOT ,HODGES IS CORRECT 9 *>ACT]IZ+ ,BAKUN9 AS AN AN>*O-,M>XI/1 A C>EFUL EXAM9ATION ( ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE & O!R TEXTS REVEALS ! APTNESS ( ?IS DESCRIPTION AS APPLI$ TO ,SOREL1 AS WE %ALL SEE4 ,MY AIM 9 ! REMA9D] ( ?IS *APT] IS TO SKET* ! JU/IFICATION = CON/RU+ ,SOREL'S !ORETICAL \TLOOK1 AS >TICULAT$ 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE1 AS FIR/ & =EMO/ A =M ( AN>*O-,M>XISM4 ,TO ?IS 5D1 MY ESSAY FOCUSES ON F\R !MES1 OR RA!R POSITIONS1 ?AT FIGURE PROM95TLY 9 ! ,REFLECTIONS3 ANTI-/ATISM2 ! CONDEMNATION ( P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALISM2 ! ADVOCACY ( REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM2 & DEF5SE ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE4 ,/>T+ FROM ! PREMISE ?AT !SE F\R POSITIONS >E *>ACT]I/ICALLY AN>*I/ VIEWS1 ,I >GUE ?AT ,SOREL'S ADH]5CE TO !M 5TAILS AN ACCEPTANCE ( SOME IMPORTANT COMPON5TS ( AN>*ISM4 ,I ALSO >GUE1 H[EV]1 ?AT MANY ,M>XI/S C\LD 5DORSE !SE SAME VIEWS1 PROVID$ ?AT !Y ATTA* AS MU* IMPORTANCE AS ,SOREL DOES TO WORK]S' SELF-EMANCIPATION AS A FUNDAM5TAL ,M>XI/ COMMITM5T4 ,S9CE IT TURNS \T1 !RE=E1 ?AT ,M>XI/S C\LD 5DORSE ! ,REFLECTIONS' AN>*I/ VIEWS &1 AS ,I ALSO CONT5D1 AN>*I/S C\LD ADOPT ! ,REFLECTIONS' ,M>XI/ VIEWS1 WE MAY SAFELY SAY ?AT ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE BO? COMB9ES ,M>XI/ & AN>*I/ !SES & DOES SO 9 A WAY ?AT MAKES EA* GR\P'S !SES ACCEPTABLE TO ! O!R GR\P4 ,TO ! EXT5T ?AT ?IS IS ! CASE1 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE PROVES SUCCESSFUL AS A /ATEM5T ( AN>*O-,M>XI/ DOCTR9E4 ,! F9AL P>T ( ! *APT] BRIEFLY DISCUSSES SOME WAYS 9 :I* ,M>XI/S MI*O-,M>XISM4 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE ,BE=E TURN+ TO EA* ( ! !MES M5TION$ ABOVE1 IT WILL BE USEFUL TO REVIEW BRIEFLY ! MA9 >GUM5T 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE4 ,AS ! BOOK'S TITLE 9DICATES1 ,SOREL'S C5TRAL TOPIC IS VIOL5CE1 BUT ! VIOL5CE ?AT 9T]E/S ,SOREL IS A SPECIFIC MANIFE/ATION ( POLITICAL VIOL5CE1 NAMELY ! VIOL5CE ?AT WORK]S USE OR ADM9I/] 9 DO+ BATTLE ) ! B\RGEOISIE 9 /RIKES & MILITANT LABOR ACTIONS4 ,SOREL'S C5TRAL CLAIM HOLDS ?AT ?IS K9D ( 'PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE'- AN ABSOLUTELY 9DISP5SABLE ELEM5T ( CLASS /RUGGLE 9 HIS VIEW -- IS ! MO/ EFFECTIVE ME?OD = E/ABLI%+ SOCIALISM4 ,HIS REASON+ IS AS FOLL[S4 ,FOLL[+ ,M>X1 ,SOREL ASSUMES ?AT CAPITALISM MU/ PRODUCE ! MAXIMAL DEVELOPM5T ( ! =CES ( PRODUCTION BE=E SOCIALISM BECOMES POSSIBLE2 9 O!R WORDS1 CAPITALISM WILL GIVE WAY TO SOCIALISM ONLY :5 CAPITALI/ RELATIONS ( PRODUCTION BECOME A FETT] ON ! =CES ( PRODUCTION & AN IMP$IM5T TO !IR FUR!R DEVELOPM5T4 ,CAPITALISM1 9 %ORT1 MU/ EXHAU/ ! POSSIBILITIES = DEVELOPM5T & EXPANSION ( ! PRODUCTIVE =CES )9 ! FRAMEWORK ( CAPITALI/ RELATIONS ( PRODUCTION BE=E WE CAN UND]TAKE ! TRANSITION TO SOCIALISM4 ,ACCORD+ TO ,SOREL1 CAPITALI/S1 OR ! B\RGEOISIE1 WILL BE EFFECTIVE 9 DEVELOP+ ! =CES ( PRODUCTION1 & H5CE 9 A*IEV+ ! COMPLETE DEVELOPM5T ( CAPITALISM1 TO ! EXT5T ?AT !Y FOCUS S+LE-M9D$LY ON MAXIMIZ+ PR(IT4 ,AN EXCLUSIVE FOCUS ON PR(IT MAXIMATION 5TAILS1 9 TURN1 A REFUSAL TO GRANT ANY CONCESSIONS TO ! WORK]S 7= EXAMPLE1 HI<] WAGES1 A R$UC$ WORK+ DAY1 MEASURES TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS 9 ! WORKPLACE1 EXPANSION ( EMPLOYEE B5EFITS1 OR E/ABLI%M5T ( WORK] RID ! UTMO/ DEVELOPM5T ( ! =CES ( PRODUCTION4 ,:AT DOES ?IS HAVE TO DO ) VIOL5CE8 ,9 ,SOREL'S VIEW1 PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE FACILITATES ! B\RGEOISIE'S PURSUIT ( PR(IT -- & ?US CONTRIBUTES TO & HA/5S ! CREATION ( SOCIALISM -- BY DISSUAD+ CAPITALI/S 7& O!RS7 FROM MAK+ CONCESSIONS TO ! WORK]S4 ,= IF WORK]S UNFAIL+LY 'REPAY ) BLACK +RATITUDE ! B5EVOL5CE ( ?OSE :O WI% TO PROTECT ! WORK]S1'.<#c#c#f.> ?AT IS TO SAY1 IF !Y RESPOND TO WELF>E-5HANC+ CONCESSIONS FROM ! B\RGEOISIE ) HEIIAN VIOL5CE1 & CONSI/5TLY MILITANT OPPOSITION FROM LABOR MORE G5]ALLY1 HELPS TO SU/A9 ! B\RGEOISIE'S SPIRIT OR E?IC ( CAPITALI/ RU?LESSNESS & ANTAGONISM2 ?ANKS TO ?IS ATTITUDE ON ! P>T ( ! WORK]S1 CAPITALI/S REMA9 CAPITALI/S1 & >E PREV5T$ FROM SUCCUMB+ TO ANY ( ! IMPULSES ?AT MIIAN VIOL5CE & ! WORK]S' DISPOSITION TO MEET CONCESSIONS ) +RATITUDE S]VE TO 'REAWAK5' ! B\RGEOISIE 'TO A S5SE ( !IR [N CLASS 9T]E/S1' !REBY RE9VIGORAT+ ! B\RGEOISIE & 'REE/ABLI%.<+.> ! DIVISION 9TO CLASSES4'.<#c#c#g.> ,AS ,SOREL EXPLA9S3 444 PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE COMES UPON ! SC5E AT ! V]Y MOM5T :5 ! CONCEPTION ( SOCIAL PEACE CLAIMS TO MOD]ATE DISPUTES2 PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE CONF9ES EMPLOY]S TO !IR ROLE AS PRODUC]S & T5DS TO RE/ORE ! CLASS /RUCTURE JU/ :5 !Y SEEM$ ON ! PO9T ( 9T]M+L+ 9 ! DEMOCRATIC MORASS4444 ,?IS VIOL5CE COMPELS CAPITALISM TO RE/RICT ITS ATT5TIONS SOLELY TO ITS MAT]IAL ROLE & T5DS TO RE/ORE TO IT ! W>LIKE QUALITIES IT =M]LY POSSESS$4 ,A GR[+ & SOLIDLY ORGANIZ$ WORK+ CLASS CAN =CE ! CAPITALI/ CLASS TO REMA9 >D5T 9 ! 9DU/RIAL /RUGGLE2 IF A UNIT$ & REVOLUTION>Y PROLET>IAT CONFRONTS A RI* B\RGEOISIE EAG] = CONQUE/1 CAPITALI/ SOCIETY WILL REA* ITS HI/ORICAL P]FECTION4.<#c#c#h.> ,9 %ORT1 VIOL5CE PROMOTES ! OPTIMAL DEVELOPM5T ( CAPITALISM1 !REBY HELP+ TO E/ABLI% ! MAT]IAL PRECONDITIONS =1 & ACCEL]AT+ SOCIETY'S ADVANCE T[>DS1 SOCIALISM4 ,IT IS PRECISELY = ?IS REASON ?AT PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE 'MAY SAVE ! WORLD FROM B>B>ISM4'.<#c#c#i.> ,9 SUMM>IZ+ ,SOREL'S >GUM5T IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE ?AT HIS CONCEPT ( 'PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE' REF]S TO ACTS ( VIOL5CE FL[+ FROM ! RESI/ANCE ?AT =MS A P>T ( MILITANT /RIKES & O!R LABOR /RUGGLES 9VOLV+ 9TRANSIG5T OPPOSITION ON ! WORK]S' P>T4 ,= ,SOREL1 MOREOV]1 SU* ACTS ( VIOL5CE1 & /RIKES 9 P>TICUL>1 >E 'ACTS ( W>1'.<#c#d.> ! W> 9 QUE/ION BE+ ! CLASS W> 7IF REVOLUTION>Y /RIKES >E 9H]5TLY VIOL5T1 IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE !Y CON/ITUTE ACTS ( W>74 ,SOREL IS C>EFUL TO DI/+UI% ?IS TYPE ( VIOL5CE FROM ACTS ( VIOL5CE COMMITT$ BY ! /ATE3 :]EAS ! PURPOSE ( ! LATT] IS TO PRES]VE & /R5G!N ! /ATE1 PROLET>IAN OR 'SYNDICALI/' VIOL5CE CONSI/S 9 ACTS ( VIOL5CE 'P]PETRAT$ 9 ! C\RSE ( /RIKES BY PROLET>IANS :O DESIRE ! OV]?R[ ( ! ,/ATE4'.<#c#d#a.> ,9 O!R WORDS1 ! WORK]S' VIOL5CE DOES NOT AIM AT REPLAC+ ONE 7AU?ORIT>IAN7 /ATE /RUCTURE ) ANO!R1 BUT RA!R AT DO+ AWAY ) ! /ATE ALTOGE!R1 ALONG ) ! DOM9ATION & EXPLOITATION :I* ! /ATE MAKES POSSIBLE4 ,IT IS ALSO WOR? EMPHASIZ+ ?AT ,SOREL DEF5DS PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE NOT ONLY ON ACC\NT ( ITS ROLE 9 ! CONSUMMATION ( CAPITALISM1 BUT ALSO BECAUSE ( ITS B5EFICIAL EFFECT ON ! WORK]S !MSELVES4 ,9 PREP>+ & EXECUT+ ACTS ( VIOL5CE 9 /RIKES1 PROLET>IANS DEVELOP SELF-CONFID5CE1 ACQUIRE POLITICAL 9DEP5D5CE1 DEVELOP SKILLS & ABILITIES NECESS>Y = SELF-MANAGEM5T1 & ( C\RSE GA9 GREAT] CLASS CONSCI\SNESS4.<#c#d#b.> ,& TO ! EXT5T ?AT ACTS ( PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE A*IEVE ONE ( !IR PRIM>Y PURPOSES1 NAMELY TO 'M>K ! SEP>ATION ( CLASSES1'.<#c#d#c.> !SE ACTS >E LIKELY TO HEIIAN VIOL5CE74 ,YET ! GREATE/ B5EFIT ( ALL FROM ACTS ( VIOL5CE HAS TO DO ) !IR ROLE 9 PREP>+ WORK]S = A REVOLUTION>Y 7OR 'SYNDICALI/'7 G5]AL /RIKE1 AN IDEA :I*1 9 ,SOREL'S OP9ION1 'CONTA9S )9 ITSELF ! :OLE ( PROLET>IAN SOCIALISM4'.<#c#d#d.> ,UNLIKE M]E POLITICAL /RIKES 7OR EV5 A POLITICAL G5]AL /RIKE71 A PROLET>IAN G5]AL /RIKE DOES NOT PRODUCE A M]E *ANGE ( GOV]NM5T1 BUT ! DE/RUCTION ( ! /ATE AS SU*3 AS ,SOREL SUCC9CTLY PUTS IT 9 ONE ( ! APP5DICES 7',APOLOGY = ,VIOL5CE'7 TO ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE1 ! REVOLUTION>Y OR PROLET>IAN G5]AL /RIKE 9VOLVES 'AN OV]?R[ 9 ! C\RSE ( :I* BO? EMPLOY]S & ! ,/ATE WILL BE REMOV$ BY ! ORGANIZ$ PRODUC]S4'.<#c#d#e.> ,BESIDES BE+ ! EV5T ?AT PUTS AN 5D TO CAPITALISM1 ! G5]AL /RIKE IS IMPORTANT 9S(> AS IT FUNCTIONS AS A MY? = REVOLUTION>Y WORK]S4 ,= ,SOREL1 MY?S >E 'EXPRESSIONS ( A WILL TO ACT1'.<#c#d#f.> COMPELL+ IMAGES & CONCEPTIONS ( A 7FUTURE7 COLLECTIVE 5T]PRISE ?AT S]VE TO 9SPIRE1 MOTIVATE & MOBILIZE ! ACTORS :O WILL BE 5GAG$ 9 ?IS 5T]PRISE4.<#c#d#g.> ,SOREL MA9TA9S ?AT ONLY ?OSE :O EMBRACE SOME SU* MY? WILL PROVE CAPABLE ( GREAT 5DEAVORS1.<#c#d#h.> & IT IS ! 'MY?' ( ! G5]AL /RIKE1 ! V]Y IDEA ( :I* 'PRODUCES AN 5TIRELY EPIC /ATE ( M9D1'.<#c#d#i.> :I* S]VES AS AN 9DISP5SABLE 9SPIRATION & MOTIVATION = ! REVOLUTION>Y WORK]4 ,M>XI/ & AN>*I/ !MES 9 ,SOREL ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE IS A SOME:AT ECC5TRIC & HIGUM5TS CONC]N+ ! /RUGGLE = A SOCIALI/ SOCIETY1 ,SOREL'S TEXT (T5 APPE>S RA!R DISJO9T$1 & HIS REASON+ CAN BE EXASP]AT+LY QUIRKY4 ,MOREOV]1 SOME ( HIS PR9CIPAL !SES >E UND5IABLY UNSETTL+4 ,= EXAMPLE1 ,SOREL'S APPROA* TO ! EMANCIPATION ( ! WORK+ CLASS IS1 AS WE HAVE SE51 AN 9COMP>ABLY ROBU/ V]SION ( ! WORSE1 ! BETT]1 ALBEIT CA/ 9 ! =M ( ! BETT]1 ! WORSE3 !MORE WELF>E-5HANC+ CONCESSIONS ! WORK]S EXACT FROM CAPITAL1 ! POOR] ! PROSPECTS = !IR EMANCIPATION4 7,SOREL'S DEF5SE ( ?IS VIEWPO9T IS1 ,I W\LD SUGGE/1 ONE ( ! *IEF REASONS ?AT ! ,REFLECTIONS 'REMA9S A PR(\NDLY DI/URB+ BOOK1' AS ,J5N+S SAYS 9 HIS 9TRODUCTION TO ! TEXT4.<#c#e.>7 ,9 ANY EV5T1 :ILE ,SOREL'S ,REFLECTIONS RAISES NUM]\S QUE/IONS1 ,I W\LD LIKE TO FOCUS ON ! BOOK'S FUNDAM5TAL POLITICAL ORI5TATION1 :I*1 AS ,I %ALL TRY TO DEMON/RATE1 IS BE/ 9T]PRET$ AS A V>IETY ( AN>*O-,M>XISM4 ,MY REM>KS WILL DEAL MA9LY ) ! AN>*I/ DIM5SION ( ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE1 = TWO REASONS4 ,FIR/1 AS ,I 9DICATE BEL[1 ,I BELIEVE IT IS MORE DIFFICULT = ,M>XI/S TO ASSUME ,SOREL'S PROP]LY 'AN>*I/' COMMITM5TS ?AN IT IS = AN>*I/S TO ASSUME HIS ESS5TIALLY ',M>XI/' VIEWS4 ,SECOND1 AS NOT$ E>LI]1 ! FACT IS ?AT ,SOREL IS MO/ (T5 CLASSIFI$ AS1 IF ANY?+1 A ,M>XI/ ( SORTS1 H[EV] IDIOSYNCRATIC HIS 9T]PRETATION ( ,M>XISM MAY TURN \T TO BE4 ,9 O!R WORDS1 ! ID5TIFICATION ( ,SOREL ) ,M>XISM IS SOME:AT LESS CONTROV]SIAL ?AN HIS ASSIMILATION TO AN>*ISM4 ,S9CE MY DISCUSSION C5T]S MA9LY ON ! 'AN>*I/ ,SOREL1' LET ME FIR/ SUMM>IZE V]Y BRIEFLY ! GR\NDS = REG>D+ ,SOREL AS A ,M>XI/4 ,TO BEG9 )1 ONE CAN H>DLY IGNORE ! V>I\S PASSAGES 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE & O!R TEXTS 9 :I* ,SOREL EXPRESSLY AFFIRMS ! ,M>XI/ AFFILIATION ( ! 'NEW S*OOL' ( !ORI/S TO :I* HE BELONGS4.<#c#e#a.> ,! 'NEW S*OOL' 7'N\VELLE ECOLE'7 WAS A NAME US$ BY ! GR\P ?AT 9CLUD$1 ALONG ) ,SOREL HIMSELF1 ,$\>D ,B]? & ,HUB]T ,LAG>DELLE1 & WAS ASSOCIAT$ ) ,LE ,M\VEM5T SOCIALI/E1 A J\RNAL F\ND$ BY ,LAG>DELLE 9 #a#h#i#i4 ,ACCORD+ TO ,SOREL1 ! NEW S*OOL 'REJECT$ ALL ! =MULAS :I* CAME FROM EI!R UTOPIANISM OR ,BLANQUISM2 IT ?US PURG$ ,M>XISM ( ALL ?AT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY ,M>XI/ & IT 9T5D$ TO PRES]VE ONLY :AT1 ACCORD+ TO IT1 WAS ! CORE ( ! DOCTR9E4'.<#c#e#b.> ,FUR!RMORE1 IT DOES 'NOT 9 ! LEA/ FEEL ITSELF B\ND TO ADMIRE ! ILLUSIONS1 ! FAULTS & ! ]RORS ( ! MAN .<,M>X.> :O DID SO MU* TO WORK \T REVOLUTION>Y IDEAS1'.<#c#e#c.> BUT RA!R SEEKS 'TO REMA9 FAI?FUL TO ,M>X'S SPIRIT' & TO ':AT IS REALLY TRUE 9 ,M>XISM4'.<#c#e#d.> ,= ,SOREL1 :AT IS 'REALLY TRUE' 9 ,M>XISM IS ABOVE ALL ! NOTION ?AT CLASS /RUGGLE COMPRISES '! ALPHA & OMEGA ( SOCIALISM4'.<#c#e#e.> ,SOREL & ! 'NEW S*OOL' ID5TIFY CLASS /RUGGLE ) A PR9CIPL$ OPPOSITION TO 'SOCIAL PEACE' -- ,SOREL HIMSELF T5DS TO CONFLATE 'CLASS /RUGGLE' & 'CLASS W>'.<#c#e#f.> -- & ADVANCE AN UNCOMPROMIS+LY ANTI-RE=MI/1 ANTI-P>LIAM5T>I/ !ORETICAL ORI5TATION &1 9 POSITIVE T]MS1 A COMMITM5T TO REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM & A POLITICAL /RATEGY AIM$ AT PRODUC+ ! CONDITIONS NECESS>Y = A SUCCESSFUL REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE 7! CULM9ATION ( REVOLUTION>Y PRAXIS 9 ! PRES5T ]A1 ACCORD+ TO ,SOREL74.<#c#e#g.> ,SOREL'S ALLEGIANCE TO !SE CORE IDEAS SETS HIM AP>T FROM '! (FICIAL .LIAM5T>Y.> SOCIALI/S1' :O1 HE REM>KS1 'WI% TO ADMIRE 9 ,M>X ?AT :I* IS NOT ,M>XI/4'.<#c#e#h.> ,IF ,SOREL'S ,M>XISM APPE>S H]ETICAL1 IT IS1 HE SUGGE/S1 BECAUSE ! PREVAIL+ S*OOLS ( SOCIALISM HAVE DI/ORT$ ! ESS5TIAL ELEM5TS ( ,M>XI/ DOCTR9E1 :I* HE & ! O!R MEMB]S ( ! 'NEW S*OOL' SEEK TO RECOV] & R5EW 9 A ,M>XI/ FA%ION4.<#c#e#i.> ,9 ADDITION TO PROVID+ ?IS SELF-ID5TIFICATION1 & P]HAPS EV5 MORE IMPORTANT1 ,SOREL EXPLICITLY 5DORSES MANY ,M>XI/ !SES & ASSUMPTIONS 7A FEW ( :I* HAVE ALREADY BE5 NOT$7 OV] ! C\RSE ( HIS ,REFLECTIONS4 ,= EXAMPLE1 ,SOREL ACCEPTS MANY ( ,M>X'S C5TRAL ASSUMPTIONS REG>D+ ! MAT]IAL PRECONDITIONS = SOCIALISM & ! PHILOSOPHY ( HI/ORY2 HE AGREES1 AS JU/ NOT$1 ) ,M>X'S EMPHASIS ON ! C5TRALITY ( CLASS /RUGGLE 9 SOCIAL LIFE & SOCIAL DEVELOPM5T1 & ITS ROLE 9 ! FIX1 ,SOREL VIEWS ! /ATE AS AN 9/RUM5T ( CLASS DOM9ATION & ADVOCATES ITS ABOLITION2 HE REJECTS UTOPIAS & UTOPIAN SOCIALISM2 ,SOREL ACKN[L$GES1 LIKE ,M>X1 ! PRIMACY ( PRODUCTION1 AS ?IS NOTION IS UND]/OOD 9 HI/ORICAL MAT]IALISM2 HE1 TOO1 AFFIRMS ! DESIRABILITY ( A CATACLYSMIC SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION ?AT ABOLI%ES CAPITALISM ONCE & = ALL1 & ! IMPORTANCE ( HELP+ WORK]S TO BR+ IT AB\T2 AS ) ,M>X1 ,SOREL 5VISIONS SOCIALI/ SOCIETY AS A CLASSLESS SOCIAL ORD] 9 :I* ! =CES ( PRODUCTION >E COLLECTIVELY [N$1 & MANAG$ BY ! WORK]S !MSELVES2 &1 F9ALLY1 ,SOREL1 LIKE ,M>X1 /EADFA/LY ADH]ES TO ! PR9CIPLE ( PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION4.<#c#f.> ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE ( ,SOREL'S COMMITM5T TO ,M>X'S ESS5TIAL VIEWS & DOCTR9ES -- OR RA!R :AT ,SOREL TAKES !M TO BE -- ?AT HE D5\NCES '! ANTI-,M>XI/ TRANS=MATION :I* CONTEMPOR>Y SOCIALISM IS UND]GO+1'.<#c#f#a.> & IT IS ALSO = ?IS REASON ?AT ! ,REFLECTIONS IS 9 P>T A POLEMIC AGA9/ DI/ORTIONS OR 7NEUTRALIZ+7 CORRUPTIONS ( ,M>X'S ?\*ISM8 ,AS IT TURNS \T1 9 ADDITION TO HIS 5?USIA/IC 5DORSEM5T ( NUM]\S ,M>XI/ VIEWS1 ,SOREL ALSO DEF5DS SOME ESS5TIALLY & 9DISPUTABLY AN>*I/ POSITIONS 9 ! PAGES ( ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE4 ,I WILL M5TION F\R ( !M4 ,! FIR/ PLA9LY AN>*I/ POSITION TO NOTE IS ,SOREL'S UNCOMPROMIS+ ANTI-/ATISM4 ,HE ADVOCATES ! ABOLITION ( ! /ATE1 & HE REG>DS ! ABOLITION ( ! /ATE AS A CONDITION ( ! REVOLUTION1 OR RA!R AS A MEASURE ?AT CO9CIDES ) ! OV]?R[ ( CAPITALISM1 & NOT AS A MORE OR LESS DI/ANT OCCURR5CE RESULT+ FROM A PROCESS ( 'WI!R+ AWAY4' ,9DE$1 ! GOAL ( ! G5]AL /RIKE1 & H5CE ! ULTIMATE 5D ( PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE1 IS NO?+ O!R ?AN ! SUPPRESSION OR DE/RUCTION ( ! /ATE1 OR AS ,SOREL WRITES 9 ONE PASSAGE1 ! ELIM9ATION ( 'BO? EMPLOY]S & ! ,/ATE4'.<#c#f#b.> ,SIGNIFICANTLY1 ?IS UNCOMPROMIS+ /ANCE VIS-A-VIS ! /ATE LEADS ,SOREL TO REJECT '! DICTATOR%IP ( ! PROLET>IAT' -- A PR9CIPLE :I*1 ACCORD+ TO ,L591 CON/ITUTES '! V]Y ESS5CE ( ,M>X'S DOCTR9E4'.<#c#f#c.> ,! DICTATOR%IP ( ! PROLET>IAT W\LD1 ,SOREL MA9TA9S1 P]PETUATE A DIVISION BETWE5 'MA/]S' & 'S]VANTS1'.<#c#f#d.> & IS !RE=E UNACCEPTABLE4 ,A SECOND ESS5TIALLY AN>*I/ POSITION ADVANC$ 9 ! ,REFLECTIONS IS ! CONDEMNATION ( P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALISM4 ,SOREL /RESSES TIME & AGA9 9 ?IS WORK ! 9H]5TLY ANTI-REVOLUTION>Y1 CONS]VATIVE NATURE ( P>LIAM5T>Y 9/ITUTIONS1 & !IR BANEFUL EFFECT ON SOCIALI/S WILL+ TO S]VE !SE 9/ITUTIONS4 ,HE ACKN[L$GES ?AT ! AN>*I/S W]E CORRECT 9 W>N+ ?AT P>TICIPATION 9 B\RGEOIS 9/ITUTIONS1 ) ITS EXPOSURE TO B\RGEOIS 9FLU5CES1 W\LD LEAD TO A POLITICAL EMB\RGEOISEM5T ( REVOLUTION>IES4.<#c#f#e.> ,! '(FICIAL SOCIALI/S' 7,SOREL'S T]M = P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALI/S7 'BOA/ TO ! GOV]NM5T & TO ! RI* B\RGEOISIE ( !IR ABILITY TO MOD]ATE REVOLUTION1' = P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALISM BASICALLY 'SELLS PEACE ( M9D TO ! CONS]VATIVES4'.<#c#f#f.> ,A REVOLUTION ?AT BR\ S9CE P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALI/S DESIRE ABOVE ALL TO PRES]VE1 & IF POSSIBLE EXP&1 !IR [N P[] & ?AT ( ! P>TIES !Y REPRES5T1 & ?IS OBJECTIVE PRESUPPOSES ! PRES]VATION & =TIFICATION ( ! /ATE4 ,PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE1 C>RI$ \T 9 ! PROP] FA%ION1 WILL PUT AN 5D TO P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALISM1 :I* IS PLA9LY ONE ( ! REASONS ?AT ! P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALI/S !MSELVES CONDEMN IT4.<#c#f#h.> ,A ?IRD AN>*I/ POSITION CAN BE F\ND 9 ,SOREL'S ESP\SAL ( REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM4 ,ACCORD+ TO ! DOCTR9E ( REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM1 AUTONOM\S TRADE UNIONS1 ACT+ 9DEP5D5TLY ( POLITICAL P>TIES & 9/ITUTIONS1 MU/ BE BO? ! AG5T ( REVOLUTION & ! FUNDAM5TAL ORGANIZATIONAL COMPON5TS ( ! FUTURE SOCIALI/ SOCIETY1 UND]/OOD AS AN >RANGEM5T 9 :I* !SE UNITS WILL CONTROL PRODUCTION4 ,UNLIKE P>LIAM5T>Y SOCIALISM1 REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM IS RESOLUTELY OPPOS$ TO ! /ATE1 :I* IT AIMS TO DE/ROY4.<#c#f#i.> ,! F9AL IMPORTANT AN>*I/ POSITION ?AT ,SOREL *AMPIONS 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE IS A COMMITM5T TO ! REVOLUTION>Y OR SYNDICALI/ 7OR PROLET>IAN7 G5]AL /RIKE4 ,?IS =M ( /RIKE IS1 ,SOREL 9SI/S1 V]Y DIFF]5T FROM A M]ELY 'POLITICAL /RIKE' 7:E!R OR NOT IT IS A 'POLITICAL G5]AL /RIKE'74 ,! LATT] DOES NOT PRESUPPOSE1 AS DOES ! PROLET>IAN G5]AL /RIKE1 AN ABSOLUTE CLASS CONFRONTATION BETWE5 ! B\RGEOISIE & ! PROLET>IAT4.<#c#g.> ,NOR DO M]ELY 'POLITICAL' /RIKES POSE ANY FUNDAM5TAL ?REAT TO POLITICIANS1.<#c#g#a.> S9CE SU* ACTIONS AIM AT RE=MS & IMPROVEM5TS )9 ! EXI/+ SOCIO-POLITICAL ORD]1 :OSE FUNDAM5TAL LEGITIMACY REMA9S UNQUE/ION$ BY ?OSE :O ORGANIZE & C>RY \T 'POLITICAL' /RIKES4 ,! REVOLUTION>Y OR PROLET>IAN G5]AL /RIKE1 ON ! O!R H&1 '5TAILS ! CONCEPTION ( AN IRREVOCABLE OV]?R[1' FOLL[$ BY ! CREATION ( A NEW CIVILIZATION4.<#c#g#b.> ,S9CE ! CONCEPT ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE ALSO 9CLUDES ! DEF9ITIVE DEFEAT ( ! B\RGEOISIE & ! DE/RUCTION ( ! /ATE1 IT IS AN 'IDEA 444 .<:I*.> CONTA9S )9 ITSELF ! :OLE ( PROLET>IAN SOCIALISM4'.<#c#g#c.> ,EA* ( ! F\R POSITIONS ?AT ,I HAVE M5TION$ CON/ITUTES EI!R AN ESS5TIAL AN>*I/ COMMITM5T 7ANTI-/ATISM1 ! REJECTION ( P>LIAM5T>ISM71 OR A POSITION ?AT HAS BE5 DEF5D$ & EMBRAC$ MA9LY BY AN>*I/S 7REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM1 ! G5]AL /RIKE71.<#c#g#d.> OR BO? 7ANTI-/ATISM & ! REJECTION ( P>LIAM5T>ISM74 ,9DE$1 SOME MAJOR AN>*I/S1 SU* AS ,RUDOLPH ,ROCK] & ,EMMA ,GOLDMAN1 HOLD ALL F\R POSITIONS4.<#c#g#e.> ,AT ANY RATE1 EV5 ?OSE AN>*I/S :O REJECT REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM & ! G5]AL /RIKE W\LD SURELY ACKN[L$GE ?AT !SE POSITIONS >E NOT FUNDAM5TALLY AT ODDS ) ESS5TIAL AN>*I/ VALUES4.<#c#g#f.> ,ACCORD+LY1 JU/ AS FEW ,M>XI/S W\LD DISMISS AS ESS5TIALLY UN- OR ANTI-,M>XI/ ANY ( ! ',M>XI/' POSITIONS 7LI/$ ABOVE7 ?AT ,SOREL DEF5DS1 FEW AN>*I/S W\LD DISMISS AS UN- OR ANTI-AN>*I/ ANY ( ! 'AN>*I/' POSITIONS ?AT HE DEF5DS4 ,AN AN>*O-,M>XI/ SYN!SIS8 ,SO1 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE WE F9D A NUMB] ( /&>D ,M>XI/ POSITIONS ALONGSIDE A NUMB] ( /&>D AN>*I/ POSITIONS4 ,ONE MIKS & GIV5 ! DIFF]5CES BETWE5 ,M>XISM & AN>*ISM1 ?AT ! RESULT IS A RA!R 9COH]5T AMALGAM1 OR AT BE/ A V]Y UN/ABLE SYN!SIS ( TWO POLITICAL DOCTR9ES WIDELY BELIEV$ TO BE GROSSLY 9COMPATIBLE ) EA* O!R4 ,AS IT TURNS \T1 H[EV]1 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE IS ACTUALLY FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL AS A MODEL ( AN>*O-,M>XISM1 [+ TO ! FACT ?AT AN>*I/S C\LD EMBRACE ,SOREL'S ,M>XI/ COMMITM5TS1 :ILE ,M>XI/S C\LD EMBRACE HIS AN>*I/ COMMITM5TS4 ,LET ME BEG9 ) FIR/ ( !SE LA/ TWO CLAIMS4 ,IT IS1 ,I BELIEVE1 ! CASE ?AT MO/ AN>*I/S C\LD SUBSCRIBE TO ALL ( ! !SES & VIEWS ?AT MAKE ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE A ',M>XI/' TEXT1 OR AT LEA/ TO ?OSE M5TION$ E>LI]4 ,RECALL ?AT !SE W]E3 I7 ,M>X'S VIEW ( ! MAT]IAL PRECONDITIONS = SOCIALISM2 II7 HIS P]SPECTIVE ON ! ROLE ( CLASS /RUGGLE 9 SOCIAL EVOLUTION & ! /RUGGLE = SOCIALISM2 III7 ,M>X'S CONCEPT ( ! /ATE AS AN 9/RUM5T ( CLASS DOM9ATION1 & HIS BELIEF ?AT IT MU/1 !RE=E1 BE ABOLI%$2 IV7 ,M>X'S REJECTION ( UTOPIAN SOCIALISM2 V7 ,M>X'S EMPHASIS ON ! 'PRIMACY ( PRODUCTION'2 VI7 ,M>X'S SUPPORT = A CATACLYSMIC SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION1 :I* ONE %\LD HELP ! WORK]S TO BR+ AB\T2 VII7 ,M>X'S CONCEPTION ( SOCIALI/ SOCIETY AS A CLASSLESS SOCIAL ORD] 9 :I* ! =CES ( PRODUCTION >E COLLECTIVELY [N$1 & MANAG$ BY ! WORK]S !MSELVES2 & VIII7 ,M>X'S COMMITM5T TO PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION4 ,IF ,I AM CORRECT 9 CLAIM+ ?AT AN>*I/S C\LD 5DORSE ALL ( !SE VIEWS1 & H5CE BO? ! AN>*I/ & ,M>XI/ COMMITM5TS PRES5T 9 ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE1 IT IS DIFFICULT TO UND]/& H[ !Y C\LD REJECT1 9 G5]AL T]MS1 ,SOREL'S AN>*O-,M>XISM4 ,:AT AB\T ,M>XI/S8 ,C\LD !Y SUBSCRIBE TO ,SOREL'S AN>*I/ !SES & VIEWS1 OR AT LEA/ TO ?OSE DISCUSS$ ABOVE8 ,?IS IS1 9 MY VIEW1 ! MA9 ISSUE 9 ASSESS+ ! 'SUCCESS' ( ,SOREL'S AN>*O-,M>XISM4 ,ONE MIXI/ !ORI/S & ?9K]S1 !REBY DET]M9+ :E!R OR NOT MANY O!R ,M>XI/S HAVE 5DORS$ ! AN>*I/ VIEWS DEF5D$ BY ,SOREL4 ,I WILL1 H[EV]1 FOLL[ A DIFF]5T APPROA*1 :I* CONSI/S 9 CONSID]+ ,SOREL'S /AT$ RATIONALE = DEF5D+ POSITIONS ?AT >E ALMO/ 9V>IABLY ASSOCIAT$ ) AN>*I/S4 ,?IS APPROA* SEEMS ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE1 CONSID]+ ?AT ,SOREL HIMSELF CONCEIVES ( ! ,REFLECTIONS AS A NON-DOGMATIC DEVELOPM5T & UPDAT+ ( ,M>X'S !ORIES1 BUT ONE ?AT RECOV]S1 & DRAWS ITS 9SPIRATION FROM1 ! MO/ ESS5TIAL & AU!NTIC ELEM5TS 9 ,M>X'S ?\ ,LET US BEG9 ) ,SOREL'S COMMITM5T TO REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM1 :I* HE CLAIMS IS 'ON ! TRUE ,M>XI/ TRACK4'.<#c#g#h.> ,CAN ONE MAKE A PLAUSIBLE ,M>XI/ CASE = REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM1 A DOCTR9E ?AT IS USUALLY SYNONYM\S ) AN>*O-SYNDICALISM8 ,= MANY ,M>XI/S1 REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM APPE>S SUSPECT1 & IMPOSSIBLE TO EMBRACE1 [+ TO ITS DECID$LY ANTI-POLITICAL *>ACT]3 REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM REJECTS POLITICAL P>TIES1 CONDEMNS P>TICIPATION 9 P>LIAM5T OR COLLABORATION ) GOV]NM5TAL AU?ORITIES1 D5IES POLITICAL 9/ITUTIONS ANY ROLE 9 ! PO/-REVOLUTION>Y P]IOD & SO ON4 ,?IS /ANCE1 :I* GIVES ECONOMIC /RUGGLE ABSOLUTE PRIORITY OV] POLITICAL ACTIVITY1 IS ANA!MA TO MO/ ,M>XI/S1 :O TYPICALLY ACCORD PRIMACY TO POLITICAL ACTIVITY4.<#c#g#i.> ,SOREL1 LIKE ! AN>*I/S1 9SI/S ON ! PRIMACY ( ECONOMIC /RUGGLE 7= EXAMPLE1 MILITANT 9ITIATIVES 9 ! WORKPLACE1 /RIKES1 9DU/RIAL MOBILIZATIONS1 DIRECT *ALL5GES TO EMPLOY]S' DOM9ATION71 BUT HE SUGGE/S1 9 EFFECT1 ?AT ?IS IS 9 REALITY ! MORE AU!NTICALLY ,M>XI/ VIEW4 ,= ,SOREL ATTA*ES EXTREME IMPORTANCE TO PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION1 & ?IS PR9CIPLE1 SO C5TRAL TO ! ,M>XI/ \TLOOK1.<#c#h.> CAN PLAUSIBLY BE CON/RU$ AS PROVID+ W>RANT = PRIVILEG+ ECONOMIC /RUGGLE OV] POLITICAL /RUGGLE4 ,AFT] ALL1 IF ONE ADH]ES TO ! PR9CIPLE ?AT ! EMANCIPATION ( ! WORK+ CLASS MU/ TAKE ! =M ( SELF -EMANCIPATION1 & ! SPH]E 9 :I* WORK]S 5JOY ! BE/ PROSPECTS = EX]CIS+ !IR COLLECTIVE AG5CY IS 9 ! ECONOMIC REALM 7?AT IS1 9 ! WORLD ( PRODUCTION71 !N IT IS H>DLY UNREASONABLE TO EMBRACE SOME?+ LIKE REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM1 ) ITS EMPHASIS ON 9DU/RIAL AGITATION1 DIRECT ACTION1 & MOBILIZATION ( ! RANK & FILE4 ,FUR!RMORE1 SELF-EMANCIPATION REQUIRES A C]TA9 DEGREE OR LEVEL ( WORK] MILITANCY1 A PO9T ?AT ,M>X 9SI/S ON1 ACCORD+ TO ,SOREL3 ',M>X WI%ES US TO UND]/&1' WRITES ,SOREL1 '?AT ! :OLE PREP>ATION ( ! PROLET>IAT DEP5DS SOLELY UPON ! ORGANIZATION ( A /UBBORN1 9CREAS+ & PASSIONATE RESI/ANCE TO ! PRES5T ORD] ( ?+S4'.<#c#h#a.> ,IF ?IS SPIRIT ( RESI/ANCE IS AS DECISIVE AS ,SOREL SAYS1 & REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM PROMOTES & SU/A9S ?IS SPIRIT 7OR MORALE7 BETT] ?AN RIVAL DOCTR9ES1 !N P]HAPS IT REALLY IS ! CASE ?AT REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM AF=DS WORK]S A 'TRULY PROLET>IAN IDEOLOGY4'.<#c#h#b.> ,LET US TURN N[ TO ,SOREL'S IMPASSION$ DEF5SE ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE4 ,:ILE IT IS TRUE ?AT ,ROSA ,LUXEMBURG ONCE WROTE ?AT ! /RIKE IS '! EXT]NAL =M ( /RUGGLE = SOCIALISM1'.<#c#h#c.> ,M>XI/S HAVE G5]ALLY ATTA*$ CONSID]ABLY LESS IMPORTANCE TO /RIKES1 & ! NOTION ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE1 FIR/ POPUL>IZ$ BY ,BAKUN9ITES1 HAS ALMO/ 9V>IABLY BE5 ASSOCIAT$ ) AN>*I/ DOCTR9ES & MOVEM5TS4.<#c#h#d.> ,9DE$1 ! ,G]MAN TRADE UNION LEAD]S ( ,SOREL'S DAY1 :OSE VIEWS W]E %AP$ TO ONE DEGREE OR ANO!R BY ! ',M>XISM' UPHELD BY ,G]MAN SOCIAL DEMOCRACY1 W]E GIV5 TO SAY+ ?AT ',G5]AL ,/RIKE IS ,G5]AL ,NONS5SE4'.<#c#h#e.> ,YET ,SOREL HOLDS ?AT '! FUNDAM5TAL PR9CIPLES ( ,M>XISM >E P]FECTLY 9TELLIGIBLE ONLY ) ! AID ( ! PICTURE ( ! G5]AL /RIKE &1 ON ! O!R H&1 ! FULL SIGNIFICANCE ( ?IS PICTURE 444 IS ONLY APP>5T TO ?OSE DEEPLY V]S$ 9 ,M>XI/ DOCTR9E4'.<#c#h#f.> ,MOREOV]1 9 SEV]AL PASSAGES 9 ! ,REFLECTIONS HE UND]SCORES ALLEG$ SIMIL>ITIES & AFF9ITIES BETWE5 ,M>XISM'S G5]AL !ORETICAL FRAMEWORK & ?AT :I* JU/IFIES ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE4.<#c#h#g.> ,:AT >E !SE ALLEG$ SIMIL>ITIES & AFF9ITIES8 ,FIR/ ( ALL1 ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE1 LIKE ,M>X'S REVOLUTION1 IS A 'CATA/ROPHIC' OCCURR5CE -- ,SOREL USES 'CATA/ROPHE' OR 'CATA/ROPHIC' MANY TIMES 9 CONNECTION ) ! G5]AL /RIKE.<#c#h#h.> -- :I* EVOKES & SYMBOLIZES1 BUT ALSO PRECIPITATES ! PASSAGE FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM1 & ?US FROM OPPRESSION TO LIB]ATION4 ,[+ TO ! AWESOME1 EPIC IMAGES ?AT IT CONJURES UP1 ! 'CATA/ROPHIC' NOTION ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE S]VES1 MU* LIKE ,M>X'S CONCEPT ( SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION1 TO 9SPIRE & MOTIVATE WORK]S 7:I* IS :Y ,SOREL REG>DS BO? ! G5]AL /RIKE & ',M>X'S CATA/ROPHIC REVOLUTION' AS 'MY?S1' 9 ! S5SE NOT$ ABOVE74.<#c#h#i.> ,:AT IS MORE1 ',IT IS ?R\< /RIKES .<9CLUD+ ! G5]AL /RIKE.> ?AT ! PROLET>IAT ASS]TS ITS EXI/5CE'.<#c#i.>3 ! /RIKE IS ! ME?OD OR /RATEGY ( /RUGGLE MO/ READILY AVAILABLE TO ! WORK]S1 & SO !Y NATURALLY USE /RIKES 9 ORD] TO EM]GE FROM 9VISIBILITY1 E/ABLI% !IR SOCIAL PRES5CE1 & EXPRESS !IR NE$S & DEM&S4 7,FUR!RMORE1 TO ! EXT5T ?AT !SE ACTIONS >E ACCOMPANI$ BY1 OR RA!R GIVE RISE TO1 A NEW CLASS CONSCI\SNESS AMONG ! WORK]S1 IT MAY ALSO BE SAID ?AT /RIKES HELP ! PROLET>IAT TO BECOME A 'CLASS = ITSELF4'7 ,9 ?IS S5SE1 AN 9SI/5CE ( ! SUPREME POLITICAL VALUE ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE1 & /RIKES MORE G5]ALLY1 SEEMS TO FOLL[ QUITE /RAIDLY FROM AN UNQUALIFI$ COMMITM5T TO PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION4 ,IF ,M>X HIMSELF DOES NOT APPRECIATE ?IS1 IT IS1 ,SOREL SUGGE/S1 P>TLY BECAUSE ,M>X GAVE LITTLE ?\Y /RUGGLE1.<#c#i#a.> & P>TLY BECAUSE HE C\LD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE =ESE5 DEVELOPM5TS ?AT OCCURR$ AFT] HIS DEA?1 DEVELOPM5TS :I* MAKE IT CLE> ?AT ADOPTION ( ! REVOLUTION>Y G5]AL /RIKE AS A POLITICAL /RATEGY REPRES5TS A CORRECT ADAPTATION ( ,M>XI/ ?\Y REALITIES4.<#c#i#b.> ,AS = ANTI-P>LIAM5T>ISM1 IT W\LD ALSO SEEM CLE> ?AT ,SOREL CAN D]IVE HIS POSITION FROM A B$ROCK COMMITM5T TO PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION1 9 ?AT P>LIAM5T>ISM SUB/ITUTES M$IATION & REPRES5TATION = ! WORK]S' [N ACTIVITY & 9ITIATIVES1 & ALSO FO/]S PASSIVITY AMONG !M4 ,= !SE REASONS1 ! ACCEPTANCE ( P>LIAM5T>ISM SEEMS BE AT ODDS ) ! PR9CIPLE ( SELF-EMANCIPATION4 ,:AT IS MORE1 P>LIAM5T>ISM IS1 ON ,SOREL'S VIEW1 9H]5TLY DE-RADICALIZ+ & CORRUPT+2 9 A WORD1 AN OB/ACLE TO CLASS /RUGGLE & REVOLUTION4 ,AS NOT$ ABOVE1 ,SOREL CONT5DS ?AT REVOLUTION>IES & RADICALS :O P>TICIPATE 9 P>LIAM5T 9EVITABLY 5D UP DEVOT+ !MSELVES TO 'PRES]V.<+.> ! OLD CULT ( ! /ATE1' FROM :I* !Y B5EFIT1 & LIMIT !MSELVES TO 'ATTACK.<+.> ! M5 9 P[] RA!R ?AN P[] ITSELF4'.<#c#i#c.> ,IF '(FICIAL SOCIALI/S' >E UNABLE TO UND]/& PROLET>IAN VIOL5CE1 IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE ! P]PETRATORS ( ?IS VIOL5CE WI% NOT TO TAKE OV] ! /ATE1 BUT RA!R TO ELIM9ATE IT4.<#c#i#d.> ,?IS BR+S US1 LA/LY1 TO ,SOREL'S RADICAL ANTI-/ATISM1 :I* REPRES5TS AN ESS5TIALLY AN>*I/ P]SPECTIVE ON ! ABOLITION ( ! /ATE3 ! SUPPRESSION ( ! /ATE IS TO CO9CIDE ) ! ADV5T ( ! REVOLUTION1 & CON/ITUTES A NECESS>Y CONDITION ( ITS SUCCESS4 '.<,T.>H]E IS AN ABSOLUTE OPPOSITION BETWE5 REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM & ! ,/ATE1'.<#c#i#e.> WRITES ,SOREL1 MAK+ IT CLE> ?AT HE DEP>TS FROM ,M>XI/ OR?ODOXY :5 IT COMES TO ! FATE ( ! /ATE FOLL[+ ! REVOLUTION4 ,SOREL SEEMS TO ASSUME1 H[EV]1 ?AT TO 9SI/ ON ! ABOLITION ( ! /ATE AS A CONDITION ( ! REVOLUTION IS 9 FACT MORE CONSI/5T ) ,M>X'S BASIC \TLOOK1 9ASMU* AS ,M>X HELD ?AT '! SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION \ 7,RECALL ?AT ,SOREL REJECTS ! DICTATOR%IP ( ! PROLET>IAT BECAUSE IT W\LD P]PETUATE A DIVISION BETWE5 'MA/]S' & 'S]VANTS'74.<#c#i#g.> ,YET :E!R OR NOT IT IS TRUE ?AT ONE CAN F9D 9 'AU!NTIC' ,M>XISM ?IS TYPE ( JU/IFICATION = A POSITION ?AT IS 9 ESS5CE ! AN>*I/ VIEW ON ! /ATE1 ONE C\LD PRESUMABLY ALSO APPEAL TO ! PR9CIPLE ( WORK]S' SELF-EMANCIPATION 9 ORD] TO JU/IFY ! SAME POSITION4 ,AFT] ALL1 ! MA9 IMP$IM5T TO SELF -EMANCIPATION 7AS WELL AS SELF EMANCIPATION7 IS ! /ATE1 9S(> AS IT UPHOLDS ! EMPLOY]S' 9T]E/S & S]VES AS !IR 9/RUM5T ( DOM9ATION 7?AT IS1 IT IS ! 'C5TRAL NUCLEUS' ( ! B\RGEOISIE74.<#c#i#h.> ,!SE >E1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 ! >GUM5TS AVAILABLE TO ,SOREL IF PRESS$ TO EXPLA9 H[ HE CAN 5DORSE HIS F\R AN>*ISANT1 OR \TRI*I/1 POSITIONS )\T DEP>T+ FROM ,M>XISM4.<#c#i#i.> ,AS ,I HAVE TRI$ TO %[1 IT TURNS \T ?AT ! KEY COMMITM5T 9 MAK+ A ,M>XI/ CASE = EA* ( ! POSITIONS IS ! !SIS ( PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION4 ,TO ! EXT5T ?AT ,M>XI/S' COMMITM5T TO PROLET>IAN SELF-EMANCIPATION W\LD 9 FACT 5ABLE !M TO 5DORSE ! F\R POSITIONS EXAM9$ H]E 7) SOME IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS1 P]HAPS1 9 ! CASE ( ,SOREL'S 'RADICAL ANTI-/ATISM'7 & ASSUM+1 ON ! O!R H&1 ?AT MO/ AN>*I/S C\LD EMBRACE ,SOREL'S 9DISPUTABLY ,M>XI/ CONVICTIONS1 IT IS FAIR TO SAY ?AT ,SOREL'S !ORY FURNI%ES A FAIRLY COH]5T MODEL ( AN>*O-,M>XISM4.<#d.> ,LE>N+ FROM ,SOREL ,SOREL'S AN>*O-,M>XISM HAS1 ,I BELIEVE1 MU* TO RECOMM5D IT TO ,M>XI/S2 BUT EV5 IF !Y DO NOT F9D HIS !ORY :OLLY SATISFACTORY1 ,M>XI/S CAN /ILL PR(IT FROM A C>EFUL CONSID]ATION ( ,SOREL'S REASONS = ADVOCAT+ SU* A !ORY4 ,CONSID]1 = EXAMPLE1 A PROBLEM ?AT B$EVIL$ ,M>XI/S ?R\<\T ! TW5TIE? C5TURY & ?AT CONT9UES TO PROVOKE DEBATE AMONG ,M>XI/S & O!RS TO ?IS DAY3 ! FAILURE ( WORK]S 9 9DU/RIALIZ$ NATIONS TO BECOME ! AG5T ( SOCIALI/ REVOLUTION4 ,:ATEV] O!R FACTORS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUT$ TO ?IS FAILURE1 IT WAS C]TA9LY DUE 9 P>T TO A LACK ( 'CLASS CONSCI\SNESS' AMONG ! WORK]S1 :O W]E1 = :ATEV] REASON7S71 L>GELY UNAW>E ( !IR COLLECTIVE CAPACITIES & TRUE CLASS 9T]E/S1 & W]E CONSEQU5TLY DIS9CL9$ TO 5GAGE 9 MILITANT =MS ( CLASS /RUGGLE TO DEF5D !SE 9T]E/S4 ,AL?\< ,SOREL HIMSELF C\LD H>DLY HAVE =ESE5 ! EXT5T TO :I* ! WORK+ CLASS W\LD FAIL TO ASSUME ! ROLE ( 'REVOLUTION>Y SUBJECT1' HE WAS ACUTELY AW>E ( ! *ALL5GES TO ! DEVELOPM5T ( A 'REVOLUTION>Y' ORI5TATION AMONG WORK]S4 ,9DE$1 ONE ( ! REASONS ?AT ,SOREL ADVOCATES REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM >ISES FROM HIS BELIEF ?AT ?IS IS ! ONLY APPROA* TO POLITICAL ACTION ?AT CAN SUCCE$ 9 FO/]+ ! NECESS>Y K9D & DEGREE ( 'CONSCI\SNESS' AMONG ! WORK]S !MSELVES4 ,SOREL ?US REPRES5TS & >TICULATES A VIEW ?AT IS 9 SOME S5SE ! V]Y ANTI!SIS ( ,L59'S 9FLU5TIAL POSITION4 ,:]EAS ,L59 FAM\SLY CLAIMS ?AT 'CLASS POLITICAL CONSCI\SNESS CAN BE BR\ ,SOREL MA9TA9S ?AT 'CLASS POLITICAL CONSCI\SNESS' CAN ONLY >ISE FROM )91 AS IT W]E1 & ?AT ACCEPTANCE ( ?IS !SIS IMPLIES A COMMITM5T TO SOME?+ LIKE REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM4 ,9DE$1 IF REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM IS1 = ,SOREL1 A 'GREAT $UCATIVE =CE1'.<#d#b.> IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE IT TEA*ES WORK]S TO COMBAT CAPITALISM BY ASS]T+ !MSELVES & DEVELOP+ CLASS SOLID>ITY1 :ILE AT ! SAME TIME PREP>+ !M = !IR ROLE 9 ! SOCIALI/ FUTURE1 ) ITS WORK]-MANAG$ SY/EM ( PRODUCTION4 ,9 ANY EV5T1 :E!R OR NOT ,SOREL'S OV]ALL E/IMATION ( REVOLUTION>Y SYNDICALISM ULTIMATELY PROVES JU/IFI$1 IT %\LD BE CLE> ?AT HE HAS GOOD ,M>XI/ REASONS = GRANT+ ! 'ECONOMIC /RUGGLE' PRIORITY VIS-A-VIS ! 'POLITICAL /RUGGLE1'.<#d#c.> & ?AT ,M>XI/S W\LD !RE=E BE WELL-ADVIS$ TO REFLECT ON !SE REASONS4 ,( C\RSE1 AS %\LD BE CLE> FROM MY E>LI] REM>KS1 ,M>XI/S >E NOT ! ONLY ONES :O W\LD B5EFIT FROM 7RE-7ACQUA9T+ !MSELVES ) ,SOREL'S ,REFLECTIONS ON ,VIOL5CE3 AN>*I/S CAN ALSO LE>N A GREAT DEAL FROM RE-READ+ ,SOREL1 IF ONLY BECAUSE HIS WORK REVEALS ?AT ! 'SPIRIT ( ,M>X'.<#d#d.> MAY 9 MANY WAYS BE MU* CLOS] TO '! SPIRIT ( AN>*ISM' ?AN MO/ AN>*I/S 7& ,M>XI/S7 T5D TO REALIZE4 ,IF ,M>XI/S & AN>*I/S ALIKE DO REEXAM9E ,SOREL'S CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIALI/ !ORY1 WE %ALL SURELY F9D \RSELVES ONE /EP CLOS] TO A MU*-NE$$ RECONCILIATION ( !SE TWO =MIDABLE POLITICAL MOVEM5TS4 ,NOTES ,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 ,*RONOLOGY 3 ,JANU>Y #b#g1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #e -- ,ADD$4 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3 HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/