There is an
opinion spread by certain liberal politicians that Marx advocated
violence and murder as the sole way out for those struggling for
liberation. More than an opinion, it is sometimes a deliberate lie,
spread by those who want to discredit Marx and Marxism. They expect to
dispel workers from challenging the exploitative system, by instilling
fear of violence.
On the other hand, the revolutionary practice of peasant rebels and rural insurrectionists, who inevitably resort to murder and brutal violence against landlords and oppressors, are identified as actions of Marxist militants. Rural rebels from the time of Spanish anarchists and Russian Narodniks were classified as Marxist revolutionaries, as these rebels often used Marxist language and slogans. But the truth is that these rebels never severed their connections with the petty bourgeoisie to become leaders of the proletariat.
Proletarian
Trotsky was a
populist but he rejected the method of individual terror to become a
serious Marxist. Marx preached a proletarian revolution leading to a
proletarian state. Hence Marxism cannot be used for working out the
emancipation of any other class without vulgarising the essence of
Marxism. Brutality or violence associated with such vulgar Marxism does
not alter the basic thesis of Marxism. Marxism advocates people’s
participation in mass actions not withstanding the violence of the
oppressor to change the destiny of society, to make a revolution.
People’s participation en masse does lead to violent conflicts as the
oppressor does not yield to the opinion of the masses.
The ruler will
use the legal instrument of violence such as armed forces and prison
houses against unarmed masses. Or else he will use thugs and
paramilitary organisations to crush mass action. To the extent that the
people dare to come forward facing such violence, state power and
political brutality of the oppressor will break down. Eventually, the
radicalised armed forces also will join the people, completing the
revolution. This has happened before in history and it will happen,
again and again, in the future.
Marx, though he did not advocate murder or brutality, saw the inevitable explosive changes in the progress of human society. In general, one paradigm will exist in dynamic equilibrium until the stability is broken by an explosion leading to a new paradigm. This is the rule of impermanence in the universe understood by the Buddha and early human thinkers.
Impermanence
Buddha
explained this rule by uthpatha, thithi, banga, i.e. arising, being,
and collapsing. Hegel explained the rule of impermanence as negation of
negation. Marx used this to explain the social history of mankind. He
explained that any political super structure that does not satisfy the
socio economic development of society will be thrown out with a social
upheaval.
Gandhi was not a Marxist, but he sensed the change coming and mobilised the masses against the colonial system. These mass actions led to violent conflicts with thousands getting beaten up and imprisoned, not to mention those who lost their lives due to military repression and chauvinist brutality. Gandhi did not carry guns but his followers were gunned down, and finally he himself was brutally gunned down by reactionary Hindu chauvinists. So, the lesson is that all revolutionaries should be prepared to risk violence though they may not carry out violence.
Ranil, the
leader of the Opposition, said last Monday that he is prepared to get
onto the streets in non violent protest against repression, war and
rising prices. He further said that he is prepared to risk arrest in
such street protests.
We were participating in a ceremony to sign a petition against the war, lack of democracy and media repression. Several of us went there not expecting much. But I was surprised with the tone of his speech.
Ranil no revolutionary
Of course, no way can one classify Ranil as a revolutionary! However if Ranil or any other mass leader is prepared to come out in such protests against the Mahinda regime’s corrupt and stupid economic policies and its genocidal war against the Tamil people, I am sure the masses will take to the streets risking violence, torture and death. The JVP has already come out with mass action in order to white wash its past and to consolidate its electoral base. If and when the Mahinda regime takes the iron rod to beat them I am sure they will scream for a united action front! Then they will vote against the emergency and appeal to the UNP to follow them.