Single Idea 23856

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution]

Full Idea

A spontaneous movement is fundamentally impotent when it comes to fighting against organised forces of repression.

Gist of Idea

Spontaneous movements are powerless against organised repression

Source

Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.2)

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'Oppression and Liberty' [Routledge 1955], p.2


A Reaction

Her example is the Paris Commune of 1870. Hence revolution requires prior penetration of the corridors of power. Hence the phenomenon of 'entryism' of more radical people into reformist parties.