The Question of Violence in Achieving Socialism

Red
Jan 22, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

As you delve deeper into studying Marxism and Communism, you will continually hear about the proletarian revolution [1], which is the working class's attempt to overthrow Capitalism and establish Socialism. However, in almost all cases where the proletariat has succeeded in creating a Socialist country, it has been done through violent means or violent revolutions. This article aims to answer the question, "Is it possible to achieve Socialism without resorting to a violent revolution?"

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by 51581 from Pixabay

The Question:

The team at Politdigm strongly advocates for non-violent methods of resolving conflicts. We have previously addressed this topic in two separate blog posts, which can be found in [2] and [3]. In these posts, we expressed our concern about the role of guns in society. Our stance on this issue is quite clear, and those who regularly engage with our content are aware of our opposition to any form of violence.

However, in our pursuit of learning more about Marxism and refining our political ideology, we have come to realize that most, if not all, successful revolutions of the proletariat that established Socialism have involved the use of violence. This has led us to question the effectiveness of our non-violent approach to achieving social change. While we still strongly support non-violence, we have decided to explore this topic further and write an article to share our views on it.

Reform vs Abolition of Capitalism:

Understanding the nuances of reformism [4] and abolitionism [5] in context of getting rid of Capitalism is essential when it comes to achieving Socialism. Reformism advocates for a gradual transformation of capitalism into socialism through the implementation of reforms and voting. Proponents of this ideology believe that it is possible to regulate capitalism and gradually shift towards socialism without a revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist state.

On the other hand, abolitionism believes that capitalism is inherently flawed and cannot be reformed or regulated. According to abolitionists, the only way to achieve Socialism is by completely demolishing the capitalist system and replacing it with a socialist one. They reject the idea that socialism can be gradually achieved through electoral politics or social movements. Instead, they argue that a revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist state is necessary to achieve socialism.

However, it's important to note that Abolitionism also argues that Socialism cannot be achieved through peaceful means. Abolitionists believe that the revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist state is a violent one. In essence, while reformists believe in gradually changing the system, abolitionists view the complete overthrow of capitalism as the only way to achieve socialism, even if it means resorting to violence.

Based on the analysis we have conducted; we have concluded that we are abolitionists. We believe that we need to demolish the capitalist system and replace it with a socialist one. However, we do have some inner turmoil regarding the use of violence and how it aligns with our values.

The Bourgeois' Violence:

It's reasonable to question whether the bourgeoisie is destined to be violent. Although no universal law states that the bourgeoisie is inherently violent, we must acknowledge how the world works. Police and military forces exist solely to protect private property and the interests of the bourgeoisie. Laws are designed to benefit the bourgeoisie, not the proletariat, so we must acknowledge that the bourgeoisie has designed the entire bourgeois society to ensure their safety, superiority, and the oppression of the proletariat.

If laws and society in general was designed to benefit the proletariat, we wouldn’t have the problems we have today. We wouldn't need a revolution of the proletariat, and Capitalism wouldn’t be an issue. However, that is not the case. We do have tremendous social problems. Problems which are caused by injustices of the system in which we live in. That is the main sign that the system has been designed not to benefit us, but rather to benefit our oppressors. Oppressors, who are not afraid to revert to violence to protect themselves.

We don't have to look far to see that it doesn't take much for the bourgeoisie to become violent against the proletariat. Every time there's a peaceful protest on the streets of a city, the media not only vilifies the working class, but the police also use force against them to silence their voices. So, when you consider that the bourgeoisie already uses violence against the working class in relatively tame and basic peaceful protests, it seems inevitable that violence will occur when the working class attempts to abolish capitalism even if it is done through a non-violent revolution.

Socialism's Past:

Throughout history, there have been several revolutionary movements that have shaped the course of nations and societies. Three of the most prominent proletarian revolutions include the Russian Revolution of 1917 [6], the Chinese Communist Revolution of 1949 [7], and the Cuban Revolution of 1959 [8].

The Russian Revolution marked the end of the Tsarist monarchy and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. The revolution was a result of years of oppression and exploitation of the working class by the ruling class. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in a violent revolution, intending to establish a socialist state that would put the interests of the people first.

Similarly, the Chinese Communist Revolution resulted from years of civil war between the communist and nationalist forces. The revolution ended the war and established the People’s Republic of China. The revolutionaries under the leadership of Mao Zedong fought against the oppressive government and aimed to establish a socialist state that would prioritize the needs of the people.

The Cuban Revolution was another significant proletarian revolution that overthrew the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and brought Fidel Castro and his guerrilla movement to power. The revolutionaries fought against the corrupt government and aimed to establish a socialist state that would prioritize the welfare of the people.

One commonality among these revolutions is that they were not initiated by choice, but rather as a means of self-defense for the interests and lives of the people. These revolutions were a result of years of oppression, exploitation, and corruption by the ruling class, which led to the people rising and demanding change. As the ruling class uses violence to protect themselves and their interests against the already oppressed class. The oppressed class suddenly runs out of non-violent forms of fighting for their rights.

This is why the proletarian revolutions that resulted in the establishment of socialism have been violent. These revolutions aimed to overthrow oppressive monarchs or governments, and they have had to resort to the use of violent means. This violence was not driven by a desire for bloodshed, but rather by the need for survival in the face of the bourgeoisie's violence.

Is violence necessary?

As we consider the possibility of a proletarian revolution, it is crucial to remember that violence should always be the last resort. Every effort towards peaceful resolution must be made before considering violent measures. However, in some cases where the situation is dire, and the stakes are high, it may be necessary for the working class to take up arms and fight for what is right and just.

It is important to acknowledge that a violent revolution should only be considered when all non-violent, peaceful means of bringing about change have been exhausted. If the capitalist system and the bourgeoisie continue to hold onto their power and influence through the use of violence, and all other options have been tried without success, the working class may find itself with no other option than to resort to a violent revolution.

We must understand that violence should never be encouraged, but in extreme situations where the oppressor and the oppressed dynamic reaches a climax, there may be times when violent revolution is an inevitability. In such situations, it is essential to keep in mind the fundamental principles of justice and equality for all.

As we look at the past of the Palestinians and the colonial settlements of Israel [9], it is evident that the existence of Hamas was an inevitability caused by years of violence and terror against Palestinians. Eventually, the Palestinians would become weary of being oppressed, and after exhausting all non-violent forms of protecting their land and people, some would turn to violence.

However, before reaching that point, we must strive to create a society that is just and equitable, where every individual has access to the necessities of life. Only when these basic needs are denied, and all other means have been exhausted, should we even consider violent means of change. We should remember that violence only begets violence and that we must always work towards peaceful solutions to the problems we face.

Conclusion:

As committed Marxists, our ultimate goal is to completely abolish the capitalist system and all its accompanying ideologies that empower the bourgeoisie, the dominant social class. We seek to dismantle the economic and political structures that enable the rule of Capital, which perpetuates the exploitation of the working class. Our primary approach to achieving this goal is to reject the influence of our capitalist feudal lords and instead, rise against them through collective mass movements, strikes, and political organizing.

We firmly believe that non-violent means are the most effective way to bring about change, and we will leave no stone unturned to achieve our objectives. Our key priority is to educate and empower the working class, enabling them to take charge of their lives and not fall prey to those who profit from their suffering and ignorance. Every individual has the power to bring about change, and we must all work together to create a better future.

However, we are also aware that the bourgeoisie often resorts to violence to protect their interests, and in such cases, we must protect ourselves. We must remain vigilant and united in our efforts to bring about a just and equitable society, free from the shackles of capitalism. Together, we can make a difference, and we must continue our fight until we achieve our goal of a truly democratic and socialist society.

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