Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Demonstratives', 'Prospects: Proletarian Revolution?' and 'Women of Trachis'

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2 ideas

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power
People in power always try to increase their power [Weil]
     Full Idea: Every human group that exercises power does so …in such a way as to increase that power.
     From: Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], p.15)
     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.
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution
Spontaneous movements are powerless against organised repression [Weil]
     Full Idea: A spontaneous movement is fundamentally impotent when it comes to fighting against organised forces of repression.
     From: Simone Weil (Prospects: Proletarian Revolution? [1933], 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.