NCJ Number
61772
Date Published
1970
Length
40 pages
Annotation
TERRORISM FROM THE MARXIST VIEWPOINT IS DISCUSSED IN THIS 1970 PAMPHLET WHICH FOCUSES ON COMTEMPORARY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. IT TERMS TERRORISM TO BE OUTSIDE THE BEST INTERESTS OF REVOLUTIONARIES IN THE U.S.
Abstract
U.S. HISTORY IS REPLETE WITH VIOLENCE, AND THE ISSUE HAS CAUSED WIDESPREAD PUBLIC CONCERN. AS NOTED IN THIS EXTRACT FROM A BOOK ON MARXISM, ANARCHISM, AND RADICALISM, TERRORISM IS A SEPARATE TYPE OF VIOLENCE DISTINGUISHED BY ITS LACK OF MASS SUPPORT AND MASS PARTICIPATION. NEVERTHELESS, CERTAIN OUTBURSTS OF VIOLENCE ARE JUSTIFIED. TO ELIMINATE REPRESSION, ONE MUST USE DISRUPTION AND CONFRONTATION TATICS WHEN OTHER METHODS FAIL TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESPONSES FROM GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS. THESE TACTICS MUST BE MASS ACTIONS WHICH ARTICULATE REAL GRIEVANCES IN ORDER TO BE JUSTIFIABLE. MOREOVER, FORCE AND VIOLENCE SHOULD NEVER BE USED TO SETTLE INTERNAL DISPUTES WITHIN A REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT, NOR SHOULD THE BLAME FOR VIOLENCE BE PERMITTED TO SHIFT FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT TO THE RESOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT. RATHER, AS THE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO BLAME THE MOVEMENT, REVOLUTIONARIES SHOULD BUILD UP PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MORE DECISIVE STRUGGLES. UNTIL THE MASSES ARE READY FOR THE FINAL ATTACK ON THE ESTABLISHMENT, DETERMINATIONS OF TACTICS MUST BE BASED ON COOL EVALUATIONS OF HOW BEST TO ADVANCE THE REVOLUTIONARY CAUSE. DISRUPTIONS OF THE 1960'S INDICATE THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONTRIVED VIOLENCE ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO THE REVOLUTION. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)