Exploring the Multifaceted Face of Bourgeois Violence

Red
Mar 18, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Bourgeois Violence, wielded by the capitalist class to safeguard their interests, manifests in diverse forms, leaving indelible scars on the populace. Their violence extends beyond physical harm, transcending into realms of psychological and economic coercion. In this article we will have a brief look into the multifaceted nature of bourgeois violence, delving into its physical, psychological, and economic dimensions. From domestic oppression to international hegemony, from insidious psychological manipulation to economic exploitation, the grip of bourgeois violence tightens its hold on humanity. Moreover, what exactly is the meaning behind bourgeois violence?

The Birth of Bourgeois Violence

To understand what Bourgeois Violence is, we must first delve into its context and specific reference. This topic, like many others I have covered, is rooted in Marxist theory. Therefore, we must be aware of the class struggle between the Bourgeoisie (the Capitalists) and the Proletariat (the Workers). These two classes have completely different material interests, and this difference is the root cause of the class struggle.

The Proletariat, who work tirelessly for a meager wage to maintain a stable life without the fear of homelessness, are the ones who produce the wealth. However, the Bourgeoisie unfairly pocketed a significant portion of the wealth created by the Proletariat. Both classes have an interest in owning the produced wealth, but only one class produces it, and both classes cannot own it at the same time. This fundamental difference in material interests is what creates the class struggle.

It's crucial to note that Capitalists are the few, and Workers are the many. In the late 19th century, notable figures such as Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and many others aimed to bring the working class together and organize them to fight against their oppressors. This marked the beginning of a movement that aimed to put an end to Bourgeois Violence and create a fair, just, and equitable society.

As anti-capitalist movements started to emerge, capitalists felt the need to protect themselves. Fortunately, their amassed wealth made them increasingly powerful in political circles. They began to corrupt public institutions and other democratic institutions that were supposed to protect the public, transforming them into institutions that safeguarded private interests. For example, the police, which had already protected the interests of feudal lords, quickly adapted to the new order.

This way, a society that was already designed to benefit one class that had an unfair amount of hoarded wealth and power was redesigned in the image of another larger but equally greedy class. The main difference is that with feudalism, they were more direct with their means of self-protection, while with capitalism, they were more creative. Through a combination of micro-dosed violence and gaslighting, such as creating the false notion that the public had any say in their rulers (the real ruler is capital), capitalists have been able to create a society made in their image and for their benefit [1].

What is Bourgeois Violence then?

So, what is Bourgeois Violence? Bourgeois Violence refers to the use of force and aggression by the wealthy ruling class to maintain their power and dominance over society. This type of violence is inflicted on the general public, especially the working class, to ensure that the interests of the capitalist elite are always given top priority for society as a whole. Bourgeois violence can take several forms, such as police brutality, suppression of worker's rights, and exploitation of marginalized communities. The end goal of bourgeois violence is to maintain the status quo and prevent any challenges to the existing power structures that benefit the wealthy and privileged few.

I want to clarify that in this article, I'm categorizing Bourgeois Violence into three distinct types. However, please note that these categories aren't completely separate and distinct from one another. They are closely intertwined and often manifest together. For ease of explanation, in this article, I've separated them into Physical Violence, Psychological Violence, and Economic Violence. Just keep in mind that Bourgeois Violence is one concept.

Physical Violence

Bourgeois Violence can take various forms, but physical violence is one of the most recognizable ones. It is witnessed both in domestic and international settings. In domestic settings, violent tendencies of the state are often palpable and are designed to uphold oppressive systems that ensure the status quo remains unchanged. The state apparatus uses its power to suppress dissent and opposition, thereby denying citizens their basic rights and freedoms.

On the other hand, violence that transcends national borders is the neocolonialist and imperialist hegemonic ambitions of modern-day capitalist powers. These ambitions take the form of interventions and coup d'états, leaving a trail of devastation and chaos in their wake. These acts of violence are carried out in the name of national security or the preservation of democracy, but as we discussed last week, this is a big joke [2]. The underlying motivation is only economic, and the desire is to maintain global dominance.

The US has a history of intervening in regime changes in Latin America [3][4], especially in the post-World War II era. They often supported right-wing leaders, military juntas, or authoritarian regimes with economic or military aid. These interventions resulted in chaos, destruction, displacement of communities, and destabilization of entire regions [5]. The US engaged in various means such as propaganda, political maneuvering, and military force to carry out these interventions. The US's involvement had a significant impact on the region's political and economic landscape, leaving many countries struggling to recover. Despite the evolution of the US's role in the region, the legacy of its interventions is still felt in South America today.

Psychological Violence

The use of physical force is not the only weapon in the arsenal of the bourgeoisie. They also infiltrate the collective psyche through psychological manipulation. This is achieved through fear-mongering tactics that are propagated through the media and political rhetoric, which instill a sense of insecurity among people [6].

Moreover, the bourgeoisie uses the dissemination of false information to perpetuate societal divisions. This further foments prejudices and deepens the fissures within communities. False notions of gender superiority and racist ideas are often propagated through this means. This is a tactic that has been used throughout history to divide and conquer, as we discussed last week [2].

All of these psychological warfare tactics corrode the individual's sense of self, relegating them to mere pawns in a system that thrives on exploitation. As a result, people become more susceptible to manipulation and control, as they are conditioned to accept the existing power structures as the only way of life.

Economic Violence

Economic violence is a form of Bourgeois Violence that operates quietly yet stealthily, perpetuating cycles of deprivation and destitution. The relentless pursuit of profit, at the expense of human dignity and basic needs, is a key factor that consigns millions to abject poverty and squalor. Economic violence is not just the result of individual actions; it is a systemic issue that is deeply rooted in the structure of our economic and political systems.

One of the most striking aspects of economic violence is how it strips away essential social services, exacerbating inequality and marginalization. Austerity measures [7], which are often touted as economic imperatives, are a prime example of this. These measures are typically implemented in response to economic crises, but they result in the reduction or elimination of critical services such as healthcare, housing, and education. As a result, the most vulnerable members of society are left to fend for themselves, without access to the resources they need to survive.

The palpable suffering inflicted by economic violence serves as a stark indictment of a system that prioritizes profit over people. Those who are most affected by economic violence are often the least able to speak out against it, as they are too busy struggling to survive. This is particularly true for marginalized communities, such as people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, who face additional barriers to accessing resources and opportunities.

It is crucial to acknowledge that economic violence is not a natural or inevitable consequence of economic systems. Instead, it results from the inherent contradiction and class struggle regarding the difference in material interests. The specific policies and practices that prioritize the interests of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of the majority are the capitalists' attempts to sustain their system at any cost. These policies are often justified by the Neo-liberal ideas of deregulation and the belief that the market knows best. However, these ideas are a product of psychological violence that works to change our perception of reality into accepting our suffering as necessary for the capitalist system to survive.

Conclusion

Bourgeois violence is a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon that affects every aspect of society. It is a dragon with many heads, each working in unison to perpetuate and reinforce the existing power structures. At its core, bourgeois violence is born out of the inherent contradictions of capitalism and fueled by the insatiable greed of the ruling elite.

This violence manifests in countless forms, ranging from physical violence and suppression of dissent to the manipulation of minds and the exploitation of labor. It also extends to the systemic deprivation of basic needs, which disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

As we dissect the anatomy of bourgeois violence, we confront the stark reality of a world where profit trumps humanity and the pursuit of wealth comes at the expense of human dignity and well-being. This violence casts a dark shadow over our collective aspirations for a just and equitable society, undermining our efforts to build a world where everyone can thrive.

The purpose of Bourgeois Violence is to shape us into adherents of a system that doesn't prioritize our needs. It aims to indoctrinate us and turn us into their servants, so they can manipulate us at will, all in the name of safeguarding their interests. However, those who refuse to fall for their manipulation are subjected to even more severe forms of Bourgeois Violence. Capitalism is like a disease, and Bourgeois Violence is the means through which it continues to thrive and expand exponentially.

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