Ideas from 'Prospects: Proletarian Revolution?' by Simone Weil [1933], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Oppression and Liberty' by Weil,Simone [Routledge 1955,978-0-415-25407-6]].
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power
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23857
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People in power always try to increase their power
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Full Idea:
Every human group that exercises power does so …in such a way as to increase that power.
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From:
Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.15)
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A reaction:
Not so true in smaller institutions, but at the centre of power you can control how power is distributed, so the temptation is too much.
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution
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23856
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Spontaneous movements are powerless against organised repression
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Full Idea:
A spontaneous movement is fundamentally impotent when it comes to fighting against organised forces of repression.
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From:
Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.2)
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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.
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24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics
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23859
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True democracy is the subordination of society to the individual
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Full Idea:
In the subordination of society to the individual lies the definition of true democracy, and that of socialism as well.
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From:
Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.19)
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A reaction:
This is the simplest definition of the liberal view. The big difference is whether this subordination is the starting point of political thinking, or the end result at which it aims.
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25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / e. Peace
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23858
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War is perpetuated by its continual preparations
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Full Idea:
War perpetuates itself under the form of preparation for war.
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From:
Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.16)
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A reaction:
There are periods when military preparations are scaled down, but a reason is always found to scale them back up again.
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25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 4. Suicide
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23860
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Even if a drowning man is doomed, he should keep swimming to the last
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Full Idea:
A man who is thrown overboard in the middle of the ocean ought not to let himself drown, even though there is very litte chance of his reaching safety, but to go on swimming till exhausted.
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From:
Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.21)
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A reaction:
You might survive a little longer if you don't exhaust yourself! Not clear where her authority for 'ought' comes from, but it expresses an interesting attitude.
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