Georges Sorel & the Myth of the General Strike

[NewSocialist]

I've read that Sorel was equally influential among fascists and the Bolsheviks, and had some rather odd theories about the importance of myths in revolutionary politics. I also recall reading that he disagreed with certain aspects of Marxist economics.

Can anyone explain the views of this odd character?

[Crux]

An arm-chair revolutionary who passed over to the other side of the barricade.

[RadioRaheem84]

Yeah, didn't he serve as the arch-theotrician for fascism? At least national syndicalism. I remember Mussolini quoting him in his post socialist writings.

I know he started the whole move the people with a nationalist myth junk.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I think the only positive point that he really pressed home more than others was the defense of revolutionary violence. Other than that, his ideas tend to either be articulated better by other figures (such as the concept of syndicalism, more broadly), or items most leftists today would probably take issue with, such as his thoughts related to the idea of "myths" in society.

[eric922]

Wait is that the same guy that Glen Beck went on a rant about and got in trouble with the Jewish community for?

[RadioRaheem84]

Wait is that the same guy that Glen Beck went on a rant about and got in trouble with the Jewish community for?

No. George Soros.

[The Douche]

Sorel was never a fascist, and never "went to the other side", he was clearly opposed to class collaboration (read his reflections on violence). Were some of his ideas appropriated by fascism? Yes...but there are also some nutty fascists who wear che guevara shirts.

[NewSocialist]

Sorel was never a fascist, and never "went to the other side", he was clearly opposed to class collaboration (read his reflections on violence). Were some of his ideas appropriated by fascism? Yes...but there are also some nutty fascists who wear che guevara shirts.

That's all well and good, I just was curious about what exactly his views were. What did he mean by "myths"? What about Marxism did he disagree with? That sort of thing. So far, it doesn't seem like many people know much more about his views than I do.

[The Douche]

No, most people don't and neither do I, as I have never read his works in full. But I just wanted to clear up the misconceptions that other people were promoting.

[Paulappaul]

I haven't read Sorel, but looking over his Wikipedia page, alot of people sound like they could possibly be out of line.

The "myth" first of all, seems a part of his theory.


Two of its themes have become a part of social science literature: the concept of the social myth and the virtue of violence. To Sorel the Syndicalist's general strike, the Marxist's catastrophic revolution, the Christian's church militant, the legends of the French Revolution, and the remembrance of June Days are all myths that move men, quite independent of their historical reality......Myths enclose all the strongest inclinations of a people, of a party, or of a class, and the general strike is "the myth in which Socialism is wholly comprised."Romanticism was big in both German and Italian society. It served both ends, of spectrum, the Fascist's heroic man and Socialism's romantic view of revolution and post - revolutionary society. Sorel sounds like he is playing eye to this in saying that our romantic depictions of revolution and man is what moves us and wipes us into revolutionary attitude. His myth of the General Strike was that it was such a Romantic Idea which was the sole embodiment of Socialism.

Fascist Syndicalists would use that and turn it towards that romantic Heroic Man, the nation and the race as their Myth for which to engage the masses.

Sorel was Anti - Nationalist however, and warned of the similar principles between Parliamentary Socialist and Conservatives (ie fascists). He was way anti - fascist and warned of the merging of employer and employee associations.

[Q]

So far, it doesn't seem like many people know much more about his views than I do.

Yes, that is a rather common problem on Learning (or Revleft for that matter), but that doesn't stop people from parroting old phrases. Have a look at any Stalin or Trotsky thread to see what I mean.

But sorry, I can't help you either. My advice would be to be specific in what you ask. The "views of Sorel" is a rather broad subject no doubt. Can you narrow it down?