Expropriation

[Danton]

Can we justify expropration from corporations in a non-revolutionary situation? sorry if that rhymes..

Theoretically If I was to rob a bank and use the proceeds to buy Marxist Literature or fund a website like this one or even stockpile weapons or distribute pamphelts etc.. Is that not justifiable as a means to a revolutionary end?

[Saddie-sad]

Well that works in theory. Alot of things work in theory. But say you did that would it really be worth it if you went to jail because of it?

[redstar2000]

The use of illegal means to "finance the revolution" has a long tradition; few see any "moral" objection to a little "early" expropriation of the expropriators.

Aside from practical considerations (not getting caught), one should keep in mind the effects of this sustained activity on the people who are actually doing it.

Remember, being determines consciousness. It is not a very large step from being a "bank robber for the revolution" to being just a bank robber, period. Or a "drug dealer for the revolution" to just a drug dealer, period.

It's said that one J.V. Stalin spent a good deal of his early revolutionary career "robbing banks" for the Bolshevik party treasury. Could that have had some influence on his later political views?

Just a thought.

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com)
A site about communist ideas

[Individual]

That's a tough one there Danton.

While you would likely be stealing from the capitalists, would it be justified? (singing it over in my head, sorry)

Well. I guess if your name is Stalin it would be.

Now as I see this as slightly capitalistic in and of itself, it really all depends of which you are trying to benefit. I think that as long as you are doing it for the betterment of society as a whole, that it is justified. So if you are going to rob a bank to fund the information of which to get the revolution out there, I think this is all well and fine. However if you are robbing in order to fund your personal living quarters during the revolution, of which your fellow revolutionaries would likely not be staying, I don't believe this is justifiable.

It all sounds well to 'steal' from the capitalists. However what you would be doing would be a capitalistic venture; profiting for one's self interests. I do think that if it is for the revolution, and all for society as a whole, then I believe it could be justified.

This is really tough, as there are arguments for both sides. Good subject.

[Danton]

Originally posted by [email protected] 24 2004, 03:16 AM
It is not a very large step from being a "bank robber for the revolution" to being just a bank robber, period. Or a "drug dealer for the revolution" to just a drug dealer, period.


Indeed, but by the same token it really is a fine line between being an outlaw and being a ideological outlaw, a social bandit if you will..

From the mythical Robin Hood to the likes of Dick Turpin, Pancho Villa, Fransisco Sabate and the Catalan Anarchists who fell back into bandit ways after the Spanish civil war..

And indeed the Bolsheviks themselves, outlaws have been used by revolutionary movements.. I read somewhere that an outlaw army was once considered as means of instigating revolution... Are these movements only organized crime with a good intentions?

Of course in these days of police surveillance the old fashioned crimes like bank robbery are nigh on impossible, high tech expropriation seems to be the way forward, if one were so inclined...

[SittingBull47]

I think anything (stealing) if used to benefit the people, and used for the greater good, is totally justifiable. They called me Robin Hood at work.

:ph34r:

[God of Imperia]

But then again, who decides what is a greater good? You?