Violence?

[dumpmud]

So I was wondering what people thought of the more violence prone subcultures (like skinheads) and militant extremist left wing groups. Do you think them to be a necessary evil or completely detrimental to the cause?

[Mujer Libre]

What do you mean by "violent extremist?" By common standards, we're all extremists for being revolutionaries. Personally, I'm a revolutionary- so violence in self-defence and in defence of revolution is inevitable since the state has a monopoly on the "legitimate" use of force- and isn't exactly reticent to use that force against dissenters when its interests, or the interests of capital are threatened.

So in that sense violence is merely self-preservation. It doesn't mean that I like violence- it's jsut an inevitable part of class struggle, and the struggle for freedom more broadly.

What 'extremist' groups are you thinking of in particular? Then maybe I could give you an answer. Also, we have a few skins here, so I'll let them answer that part.

Oh and, moving this to Learning where you'll get a better response.

[Pogue]

Militant anti-fascism is a must. I ignore the cries of violent thuggery, freedom of speech and the like by looking at fascism for what it is, the absence of any freedoms, complete control by the ruling class, racism, etc. So the 'violence prone' groups are justified and right. Groups like the RAF are dodgy though, because bombs kill workers and acheive nothing unless they do it right (i.e. strategically only killing military targets, no harm to anyone else, or bombing buildings, assasinations of fascists etc, as has been done throughout history).

In terms of how I see our movements progression I'd say violent acts which we initiate are bad. But antifa is self-defence - a response to the threat of fascism taking away our freedoms and lives. Violence in any form of self defence is obviously perfectly acceptable, but randomy bombing stuff in some sort of propoganda of the deed rarely acheives much and the risk is too great (innocent lives).

So basically self defence against atacks on our comrades/revolution is OK, fighting the threat of fascism is OK, bombs are dangerous and often pointless.

[dumpmud]

maybe i was wrong in saying militant extremist left wing groups when i should have said individuals...thanks for the move to a more productive forum. i hope to receive more replies. i find the answers given so far very educational....:thumbup1:

[BIG BROTHER]

My short response is violence is not our option, its the ruling class, and the reaction who chose whether we're violent or not.

As to individuals, I believe in self defense, but hate pointless violence.

[Reclaimed Dasein]

I would say currently violence is not an option. We don't have the platform or the ability to articulate violence in a meaningful way. Our goal should be to build the platform to make violence an option. Regardless, I'm hosting a facebook studygroup on violence. You might find it interesting. Our first essay is "A critique of violence" by Walter Benjamin.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52310194736