SAULD.ALINSKY

VINTAGEBOOKSADivisionofRandomHouse,Inc./NewYork

VINTAGEBOOKSEDITION,OCTOBER1989

Copyright©1971bySaulD.Alinsky

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyVintageBooks,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork,andsimultaneouslyinCanadabyRandomHouseofCanadaLimited,Toronto.Originallypublished,inhardcover,byRandomHouse,Inc.,in1971.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Alinsky,SaulDavid,1909-1972.Rulesforradicals:apracticalprimerforrealisticradicals/SaulD.Alinsky.—VintageBooksed.p.cm.Reprint.Originallypublished:NewYork:RandomHouse,1971.ISBN0-679-72113-4:$7.951.Communityorganization—UnitedStates.2.Politicalparticipation—UnitedStates.3.Radicalism—UnitedStates.I.Title.HN65.A675198989-14823303.48'4—dc20CIP

"OntheImportanceofBeingUnprincipled,"byJohnHermanRandall,Jr.,isreprintedbypermissionofthepublishersfromTheAmericanScholar,Volume7,Number2,Spring1938.Copyright1938bytheUnitedChaptersofPhiBetaKappa.

ASelectionfromIndustrialValley,byRuthMcKenney,isreprintedbypermissionofCurtisBrownLtd.Copyright©1939byRuthMcKenney

MANUFACTUREDINTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICAD9876543210

PersonalAcknowledgments

ToJasonEpsteinforhisprodding,patienceandunderstanding,andforbeingabeautifuleditor.ToCicelyNicholsforthehoursofpainstakingeditorialassistance.ToSusanRabinerforbeingtheshockabsorberbetweenthecorporatestructureofRandomHouseandthiswriter.ToGeorgiaHarpermyheartfeltgratitudeforthemonthsoftypingandtypingandforstayingwithmethroughtheyearsofgettingthisbooktogether.

ToIrene

"Wheretherearenomen,bethouaman,"—RABBIHILLEL

"Letthemcallmerebelandwelcome,Ifeelnoconcernfromit;butIshouldsufferthemiseryofdevils,wereItomakeawhoreofmysoul..."—THOMASPAINE

Lestweforgetatleastanover-the-shoulderacknowledgmenttotheveryfirstradical:fromallourlegends,mythology,andhistory(andwhoistoknowwheremythologyleavesoffandhistorybegins—orwhichiswhich),thefirstradicalknowntomanwhorebelledagainsttheestablishmentanddiditsoeffectivelythatheatleastwonhisownkingdom—Lucifer.—SAULALINSKY

Contents

Prologue xiiiThePurpose 3OfMeansandEnds 24AWordAboutWords 48TheEducationofanOrganizer 63Communication 81IntheBeginning 98Tactics 125TheGenesisofTacticProxy 165TheWayAhead 184

Prologue

THEREVOLUTIONARYFORCEtodayhastwotargets,moralaswellasmaterial.ItsyoungprotagonistsareonemomentreminiscentoftheidealisticearlyChristians,yettheyalsourgeviolenceandcry,"Burnthesystemdown!"Theyhavenoillusionsaboutthesystem,butplentyofillusionsaboutthewaytochangeourworld.ItistothispointthatIhavewrittenthisbook.Thesewordsarewrittenindesperation,partlybecauseitiswhattheydoandwilldothatwillgivemeaningtowhatIandtheradicalsofmygenerationhavedonewithourlives.

Theyarenowthevanguard,andtheyhadtostartalmostfromscratch.FewofussurvivedtheJoeMcCarthyholocaustoftheearly1950sandofthosetherewereevenfewerwhoseunderstandingandinsightshaddevelopedbeyondthedialecticalmaterialismoforthodoxMarxism.Myfellowradicalswhoweresupposedtopassonthetorchofexperienceandinsightstoanewgenerationjustwerenotthere.Astheyounglookedatthesocietyaroundthem,itwasall,intheirwords,"materialistic,decadent,bourgeoisinitsvalues,bankruptandviolent."Isitanywonderthattheyrejectedusintoto.

Today'sgenerationisdesperatelytryingtomakesomesenseoutoftheirlivesandoutoftheworld.Mostofthemareproductsofthemiddleclass.Theyhaverejectedtheirmaterialisticbackgrounds,thegoalofawell-paidjob,suburbanhome,automobile,countryclubmembership,first-classtravel,status,security,andeverythingthatmeantsuccesstotheirparents.Theyhavehadit.Theywatcheditleadtheirparentstotranquilizers,alcohol,long-term-endurancemarriages,ordivorces,highbloodpressure,ulcers,frustration,andthedisillusionmentof"thegoodlife."Theyhaveseenthealmostunbelievableidiocyofourpoliticalleadership—inthepastpoliticalleaders,rangingfromthemayorstogovernorstotheWhiteHouse,wereregardedwithrespectandalmostreverence;todaytheyareviewedwithcontempt.Thisnegativismnowextendstoallinstitutions,fromthepoliceandthecourtsto"thesystem"itself.Wearelivinginaworldofmassmediawhichdailyexposessociety'sinnatehypocrisy,itscontradictionsandtheapparentfailureofalmosteveryfacetofoursocialandpoliticallife.Theyounghaveseentheir"activist"participatorydemocracyturnintoitsantithesis—nihilisticbombingandmurder.Thepoliticalpanaceasofthepast,suchastherevolutionsinRussiaandChina,havebecomethesameoldstuffunderadifferentname.Thesearchforfreedomdoesnotseemtohaveanyroadordestination.Theyoungareinundatedwithabarrageofinformationandfactssooverwhelmingthattheworldhascometoseemanutterbedlam,whichhasthemspinninginafrenzy,lookingforwhatman

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hasalwayslookedforfromthebeginningoftime,awayoflifethathassomemeaningorsense.Awayoflifemeansacertaindegreeoforderwherethingshavesomerelationshipandcanbepiecedtogetherintoasystemthatatleastprovidessomecluestowhatlifeisabout.Menhavealwaysyearnedforandsoughtdirectionbysettingupreligions,inventingpoliticalphilosophies,creatingscientificsystemslikeNewton's,orformulatingideologiesofvariouskinds.Thisiswhatisbehindthecommoncliché,"gettingitalltogether"—despitetherealizationthatallvaluesandfactorsarerelative,fluid,andchanging,andthatitwillbepossibleto"getitalltogether"onlyrelatively.Theelementswillshiftandmovetogetherjustlikethechangingpatterninaturningkaleidoscope.

Inthepastthe"world,"whetherinitsphysicalorintellectualterms,wasmuchsmaller,simpler,andmoreorderly.Itinspiredcredibility.Todayeverythingissocomplexastobeincomprehensible.Whatsensedoesitmakeformentowalkonthemoonwhileothermenarewaitingonwelfarelines,orinVietnamkillinganddyingforacorruptdictatorshipinthenameoffreedom?Thesearethedayswhenmanhashishandsonthesublimewhileheisuptohishipsinthemuckofmadness.Theestablishmentinmanywaysisassuicidalassomeofthefarleft,exceptthattheyareinfinitelymoredestructivethanthefarleftcaneverbe.Theoutcomeofthehopelessnessanddespairismorbidity.Thereisafeelingofdeathhangingoverthenation.

Today'sgenerationfacesallthisandsays,"Idon'twanttospendmylifethewaymyfamilyandtheirfriendshave.Iwanttodosomething,tocreate,tobeme,to'domyownthing,'tolive.Theoldergenerationdoesn'tunderstandandworsedoesn'twantto.Idon'twanttobejustapieceofdatatobefedintoacomputerorastatisticinapublicopinionpoll,justavotercarryingacreditcard."Totheyoungtheworldseemsinsaneandfallingapart.

Ontheothersideistheoldergeneration,whosemembersarenolessconfused.Iftheyarenotasvocalorconscious,itmaybebecausetheycanescapetoapastwhentheworldwassimpler.Theycanstillclingtotheoldvaluesinthesimplehopethateverythingwillworkoutsomehow,someway.Thattheyoungergenerationwill"straightenout"withthepassingoftime.Unabletocometogripswiththeworldasitis,theyretreatinanyconfrontationwiththeyoungergenerationwiththatinfuriatingcliché,"whenyougetolderyou'llunderstand."Onewondersattheirreactionifsomeyoungsterweretoreply,"Whenyougetyoungerwhichwillneverbethenyou'llunderstand,soofcourseyou'llneverunderstand."Thoseoftheoldergenerationwhoclaimadesiretounderstandsay,"WhenItalktomykidsortheirfriendsI'llsaytothem,'Look,IbelievewhatyouhavetotellmeisimportantandIrespectit.Youcallmeasquareandsaythat'I'mnotwithit'or'Idon'tknowwhere

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it'sat'or'Idon'tknowwherethesceneis'andalloftherestofthewordsyouuse.Well,I'mgoingtoagreewithyou.Sosupposeyoutellme.Whatdoyouwant?Whatdoyoumeanwhenyousay'Iwanttodomything.'Whatthehellisyourthing?Yousayyouwantabetterworld.Likewhat?Anddon'ttellmeaworldofpeaceandloveandalltherestofthatstuffbecausepeoplearepeople,asyouwillfindoutwhenyougetolder—I'msorry,Ididn'tmeantosayanythingabout'whenyougetolder.'Ireallydorespectwhatyouhavetosay.Nowwhydon'tyouanswerme?Doyouknowwhatyouwant?Doyouknowwhatyou'retalkingabout?Whycan'twegettogether?"

Andthatiswhatwecallthegenerationgap.

Whatthepresentgenerationwantsiswhatallgenerationshavealwayswanted—ameaning,asenseofwhattheworldandlifeare—achancetostriveforsomesortoforder.

IftheyoungwerenowwritingourDeclarationofIndependencetheywouldbegin,"Wheninthecourseofinhumanevents..."andtheirbillofparticularswouldrangefromVietnamtoourblack,Chicano,andPuertoRicanghettos,tothemigrantworkers,toAppalachia,tothehate,ignorance,disease,andstarvationintheworld.Suchabillofparticularswouldemphasizetheabsurdityofhumanaffairsandtheforlornnessandemptiness,thefearfullonelinessthatcomesfromnotknowingifthereisanymeaningtoourlives.

Whentheytalkofvaluesthey'reaskingforareason.Theyaresearchingforananswer,atleastforatime,toman'sgreatestquestion,"WhyamIhere?"

Theyoungreacttotheirchaoticworldindifferentways.Somepanicandrun,rationalizingthatthesystemisgoingtocollapseanywayofitsownrotandcorruptionandsothey'recoppingout,goinghippieoryippie,takingdrugs,tryingcommunes,anythingtoescape.Otherswentforpointlesssure-loserconfrontationssothattheycouldfortifytheirrationalizationandsay,"Well,wetriedanddidourpart"andthentheycoppedouttoo.Otherssickwithguiltandnotknowingwheretoturnorwhattodowentberserk.TheseweretheWeathermenandtheirlike:theytookthegrandcop-out,suicide.TotheseIhavenothingtosayorgivebutpity—andinsomecasescontempt,forsuchasthosewholeavetheirdeadcomradesandtakeoffforAlgeriaorotherpoints.

WhatIhavetosayinthisbookisnotthearroganceofunsolicitedadvice.Itistheexperienceandcounselthatsomanyyoungpeoplehavequestionedmeaboutthroughall-nightsessionsonhundredsofcampusesinAmerica.Itisforthose

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youngradicalswhoarecommittedtothefight,committedtolife.

Rememberwearetalkingaboutrevolution,notrevelation;youcanmissthetargetbyshootingtoohighaswellastoolow.First,therearenorulesforrevolutionanymorethantherearerulesforloveorrulesforhappiness,buttherearerulesforradicalswhowanttochangetheirworld;therearecertaincentralconceptsofactioninhumanpoliticsthatoperateregardlessofthesceneorthetime.Toknowtheseisbasictoapragmaticattackonthesystem.Theserulesmakethedifferencebetweenbeingarealisticradicalandbeingarhetoricalonewhousesthetiredoldwordsandslogans,callsthepolice"pig"or"whitefascistracist"or"motherfucker"andhassostereotypedhimselfthatothersreactbysaying,"Oh,he'soneofthose,"andthenpromptlyturnoff.

Thisfailureofmanyofouryoungeractiviststounderstandtheartofcommunicationhasbeendisastrous.Eventhemostelementarygraspofthefundamentalideathatonecommunicateswithintheexperienceofhisaudience—andgivesfullrespecttotheother'svalues—wouldhaveruledoutattacksontheAmericanflag.Theresponsibleorganizerwouldhaveknownthatitistheestablishmentthathasbetrayedtheflagwhiletheflag,itself,remainstheglorioussymbolofAmerica'shopesandaspirations,andhewouldhaveconveyedthismessagetohisaudience.Onanotherlevelofcommunication,humorisessential,forthroughhumormuchisacceptedthatwouldhavebeenrejectedifpresentedseriously.Thisisasadandlonelygeneration.Itlaughstoolittle,andthis,too,istragic.

Fortherealradical,doing"histhing"istodothesocialthing,forandwithpeople.Inaworldwhereeverythingissointerrelatedthatonefeelshelplesstoknowwhereorhowtograbholdandact,defeatsetsin;foryearstherehavebeenpeoplewho'vefoundsocietytoooverwhelmingandhavewithdrawn,concentratedon"doingtheirownthing."Generallywehaveputthemintomentalhospitalsanddiagnosedthemasschizophrenics.Iftherealradicalfindsthathavinglonghairsetsuppsychologicalbarrierstocommunicationandorganization,hecutshishair.IfIwereorganizinginanorthodoxJewishcommunityIwouldnotwalkinthereeatingahamsandwich,unlessIwantedtoberejectedsoIcouldhaveanexcusetocopout.My"thing,"ifIwanttoorganize,issolidcommunicationwiththepeopleinthecommunity.LackingcommunicationIaminrealitysilent;throughouthistorysilencehasbeenregardedasassent—inthiscaseassenttothesystem.

AsanorganizerIstartfromwheretheworldis,asitis,notasIwouldlikeittobe.Thatweaccepttheworldasitisdoesnotinanysenseweakenourdesiretochangeitintowhatwebelieveitshouldbe—itisnecessarytobeginwheretheworldisif

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wearegoingtochangeittowhatwethinkitshouldbe.Thatmeansworkinginthesystem.

There'sanotherreasonforworkinginsidethesystem.Dostoevskisaidthattakinganewstepiswhatpeoplefearmost.Anyrevolutionarychangemustbeprecededbyapassive,affirmative,non-challengingattitudetowardchangeamongthemassofourpeople.Theymustfeelsofrustrated,sodefeated,solost,sofuturelessintheprevailingsystemthattheyarewillingtoletgoofthepastandchancethefuture.Thisacceptanceisthereformationessentialtoanyrevolution.Tobringonthisreformationrequiresthattheorganizerworkinsidethesystem,amongnotonlythemiddleclassbutthe40percentofAmericanfamilies—morethanseventymillionpeople—whoseincomesrangefrom$5,000to$10,000ayear.Theycannotbedismissedbylabelingthembluecollarorhardhat.Theywillnotcontinuetoberelativelypassiveandslightlychallenging.Ifwefailtocommunicatewiththem,ifwedon'tencouragethemtoformallianceswithus,theywillmovetotheright.Maybetheywillanyway,butlet'snotletithappenbydefault.

Ouryouthareimpatientwiththepreliminariesthatareessentialtopurposefulaction.Effectiveorganizationisthwartedbythedesireforinstantanddramaticchange,orasIhavephraseditelsewherethedemandforrevelationratherthanrevolution.It'sthekindofthingweseeinplaywriting;thefirstactintroducesthecharactersandtheplot,inthesecondacttheplotandcharactersaredevelopedastheplaystrivestoholdtheaudience'sattention.Inthefinalactgoodandevilhavetheirdramaticconfrontationandresolution.Thepresentgenerationwantstogorightintothethirdact,skippingthefirsttwo,inwhichcasethereisnoplay,nothingbutconfrontationforconfrontation'ssake—aflare-upandbacktodarkness.Tobuildapowerfulorganizationtakestime.Itistedious,butthat'sthewaythegameisplayed—ifyouwanttoplayandnotjustyell,"Killtheumpire."

Whatisthealternativetoworking"inside"thesystem?Amessofrhetoricalgarbageabout"Burnthesystemdown!"Yippieyellsof"Doit!"or"Doyourthing."Whatelse?Bombs?Sniping?Silencewhenpolicearekilledandscreamsof"murderingfascistpigs"whenothersarekilled?Attackingandbaitingthepolice?Publicsuicide?"Powercomesoutofthebarrelofagun!"isanabsurdrallyingcrywhentheothersidehasalltheguns.Leninwasapragmatist;whenhereturnedtowhatwasthenPetrogradfromexile,hesaidthattheBolsheviksstoodforgettingpowerthroughtheballotbutwouldreconsideraftertheygottheguns!Militantmouthings?SpoutingquotesfromMao,Castro,andCheGuevara,whichareasgermanetoourhighlytechnological,computerized,cybernetic,nuclear-powered,massmediasocietyasastagecoachonajetrunwayatKennedyairport?

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Letusinthenameofradicalpragmatismnotforgetthatinoursystemwithallitsrepressionswecanstillspeakoutanddenouncetheadministration,attackitspolicies,worktobuildanoppositionpoliticalbase.True,thereisgovernmentharassment,buttherestillisthatrelativefreedomtofight.Icanattackmygovernment,trytoorganizetochangeit.That'smorethanIcandoinMoscow,Peking,orHavana.RememberthereactionoftheRedGuardtothe"culturalrevolution"andthefateoftheChinesecollegestudents.JustafewoftheviolentepisodesofbombingsoracourtroomshootoutthatwehaveexperiencedherewouldhaveresultedinasweepingpurgeandmassexecutionsinRussia,China,orCuba.Let'skeepsomeperspective.

Wewillstartwiththesystembecausethereisnootherplacetostartfromexceptpoliticallunacy.Itismostimportantforthoseofuswhowantrevolutionarychangetounderstandthatrevolutionmustbeprecededbyreformation.Toassumethatapoliticalrevolutioncansurvivewithoutthesupportingbaseofapopularreformationistoaskfortheimpossibleinpolitics.

Mendon'tliketostepabruptlyoutofthesecurityoffamiliarexperience;theyneedabridgetocrossfromtheirownexperiencetoanewway.Arevolutionaryorganizermustshakeuptheprevailingpatternsoftheirlives—agitate,createdisenchantmentanddiscontentwiththecurrentvalues,toproduce,ifnotapassionforchange,atleastapassive,affirmative,non-challengingclimate.

"TheRevolutionwaseffectedbeforethewarcommenced,"JohnAdamswrote."TheRevolutionwasintheheartsandmindsofthepeople...Thisradicalchangeintheprinciples,opinions,sentimentsandaffectionsofthepeoplewastherealAmericanRevolution."Arevolutionwithoutapriorreformationwouldcollapseorbecomeatotalitariantyranny.

Areformationmeansthatmassesofourpeoplehavereachedthepointofdisillusionmentwithpastwaysandvalues.Theydon'tknowwhatwillworkbuttheydoknowthattheprevailingsystemisself-defeating,frustrating,andhopeless.Theywon'tactforchangebutwon'tstronglyopposethosewhodo.Thetimeisthenripeforrevolution.

Thosewho,forwhatevercombinationofreasons,encouragetheoppositeofreformation,becometheunwittingalliesofthefarpoliticalright.Partsofthefarlefthavegonesofarinthepoliticalcirclethattheyarenowallbutindistinguishablefromtheextremeright.ItremindsmeofthedayswhenHitler,newonthescene,wasexcusedforhisactionsby"humanitarians"onthegroundsofapaternalrejectionandchildhoodtrauma.Whentherearepeoplewhoespousetheassassinationof

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SenatorRobertKennedyortheTatemurdersortheMarinCountyCourthousekidnappingandkillingsortheUniversityofWisconsinbombingandkillingas"revolutionaryacts,"thenwearedealingwithpeoplewhoaremerelyhidingpsychosisbehindapoliticalmask.Themassesofpeoplerecoilwithhorrorandsay,"Ourwayisbadandwewerewillingtoletitchange,butcertainlynotforthismurderousmadness—nomatterhowbadthingsarenow,theyarebetterthanthat."Sotheybegintoturnback.Theyregressintoacceptanceofacomingmassiverepressioninthenameof"lawandorder."

InthemidstofthegassingandviolencebytheChicagoPoliceandNationalGuardduringthe1968DemocraticConventionmanystudentsaskedme,"Doyoustillbelieveweshouldtrytoworkinsideoursystem?"

ThesewerestudentswhohadbeenwithEugeneMcCarthyinNewHampshireandfollowedhimacrossthecountry.SomehadbeenwithRobertKennedywhenhewaskilledinLosAngeles.ManyofthetearsthatwereshedinChicagowerenotfromgas."Mr.Alinsky,wefoughtinprimaryafterprimaryandthepeoplevotednoonVietnam.Lookatthatconvention.They'renotpayinganyattentiontothevote.Lookatyourpoliceandthearmy.Youstillwantustoworkinthesystem?"

IthurtmetoseetheAmericanarmywithdrawnbayonetsadvancingonAmericanboysandgirls.ButtheanswerIgavetheyoungradicalsseemedtometheonlyrealisticone:"Dooneofthreethings.One,gofindawailingwallandfeelsorryforyourselves.Two,gopsychoandstartbombing—butthiswillonlyswingpeopletotheright.Three,learnalesson.Gohome,organize,buildpowerandatthenextconvention,youbethedelegates."

Remember:onceyouorganizepeoplearoundsomethingascommonlyagreeduponaspollution,thenanorganizedpeopleisonthemove.Fromthereit'sashortandnaturalsteptopoliticalpollution,toPentagonpollution.

Itisnotenoughjusttoelectyourcandidates.Youmustkeepthepressureon.RadicalsshouldkeepinmindFranklinD.Roosevelt'sresponsetoareformdelegation,"Okay,you'veconvincedme.Nowgoonoutandbringpressureonme!"Actioncomesfromkeepingtheheaton.Nopoliticiancansitonahotissueifyoumakeithotenough.

AsforVietnam,Iwouldliketoseeournationbethefirstinthehistoryofmantopubliclysay,"Wewerewrong!Whatwedidwashorrible.Wegotinandkeptgettingindeeperanddeeperandateverystepweinventednewreasonsforstaying.Wehavepaidpartofthepricein44,000deadAmericans.Thereisnothingwecaneverdoto

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makeituptothepeopleofIndo-China—ortoourownpeople—butwewilltry.Webelievethatourworldhascomeofagesothatitisnolongerasignofweaknessordefeattoabandonachildishprideandvanity,toadmitwewerewrong."Suchanadmissionwouldshakeuptheforeignpolicyconceptsofallnationsandopenthedoortoanewinternationalorder.ThisisouralternativetoVietnam—anythingelseistheoldmakeshiftpatchwork.Ifthisweretohappen,Vietnammayevenhavebeensomewhatworthit.

Afinalwordonoursystem.Thedemocraticidealspringsfromtheideasofliberty,equality,majorityrulethroughfreeelections,protectionoftherightsofminorities,andfreedomtosubscribetomultipleloyaltiesinmattersofreligion,economics,andpoliticsratherthantoatotalloyaltytothestate.Thespiritofdemocracyistheideaofimportanceandworthintheindividual,andfaithinthekindofworldwheretheindividualcanachieveasmuchofhispotentialaspossible.

Greatdangersalwaysaccompanygreatopportunities.Thepossibilityofdestructionisalwaysimplicitintheactofcreation.Thusthegreatestenemyofindividualfreedomistheindividualhimself.

Fromthebeginningtheweaknessaswellasthestrengthofthedemocraticidealhasbeenthepeople.Peoplecannotbefreeunlesstheyarewillingtosacrificesomeoftheirintereststoguaranteethefreedomofothers.Thepriceofdemocracyistheongoingpursuitofthecommongoodbyallofthepeople.Onehundredandthirty-fiveyearsagoTocqueville{footnote1}gravelywarnedthatunlessindividualcitizenswereregularlyinvolvedintheactionofgoverningthemselves,self-governmentwouldpassfromthescene.Citizenparticipationistheanimatingspiritandforceinasocietypredicatedonvoluntarism.

Wearenothereconcernedwithpeoplewhoprofessthedemocraticfaithbutyearnforthedarksecurityofdependencywheretheycanbesparedtheburdenofdecisions.Reluctanttogrowup,orincapableofdoingso,theywanttoremainchildrenandbecaredforbyothers.Thosewhocan,shouldbeencouragedtogrow;fortheothers,thefaultliesnotinthesystembutinthemselves.

Herewearedesperatelyconcernedwiththevastmassofourpeoplewho,thwartedthroughlackofinterestoropportunity,orboth,donotparticipateintheendlessresponsibilitiesofcitizenshipandareresignedtolivesdeterminedbyothers.Toloseyour"identity"asacitizenofdemocracyisbutastepfromlosingyouridentityasaperson.Peoplereacttothisfrustrationbynotactingatall.Theseparationofthepeoplefromtheroutinedailyfunctionsofcitizenshipisheartbreakinademocracy.

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Itisagravesituationwhenapeopleresigntheircitizenshiporwhenaresidentofagreatcity,thoughhemaydesiretotakeahand,lacksthemeanstoparticipate.Thatcitizensinksfurtherintoapathy,anonymity,anddepersonalization.Theresultisthathecomestodependonpublicauthorityandastateofcivic-sclerosissetsin.

Fromtimetotimetherehavebeenexternalenemiesatourgates;therehasalwaysbeentheenemywithin,thehiddenandmalignantinertiathatforeshadowsmorecertaindestructiontoourlifeandfuturethananynuclearwarhead.Therecanbenodarkerormoredevastatingtragedythanthedeathofman'sfaithinhimselfandinhispowertodirecthisfuture.

Isalutethepresentgeneration.Hangontooneofyourmostpreciouspartsofyouth,laughter—don'tloseitasmanyofyouseemtohavedone,youneedit.Togetherwemayfindsomeofwhatwe'relookingfor—laughter,beauty,love,andthechancetocreate.

SaulAlinsky

{footnote1}"Itmustnotbeforgottenthatitisespeciallydangeroustoenslavemenintheminordetailsoflife.Formyownpart,Ishouldbeinclinedtothinkfreedomlessnecessaryingreatthingsthaninlittleones,ifitwerepossibletobesecureoftheonewithoutpossessingtheother.

"Subjectioninminoraffairsbreaksouteveryday,andisfeltbythewholecommunityindiscriminately.Itdoesnotdrivementoresistance,butitcrossesthemateveryturn,tilltheyareledtosurrendertheexerciseoftheirwill.Thustheirspiritisgraduallybrokenandtheircharacterenervated;whereasthatobedience,whichisexactedonafewimportantbutrareoccasions,onlyexhibitsservitudeatcertainintervals,andthrowstheburdenofituponasmallnumberofmen.Itisvaintosummonapeople,whichhasbeenrenderedsodependentonthecentralpower,tochoosefromtimetotimetherepresentativesofthatpower;thisrareandbriefexerciseoftheirfreechoice,however,importantitmaybe,willnotpreventthemfromgraduallylosingthefacultiesofthinking,feeling,andactingforthemselves,andthusgraduallyfallingbelowthelevelofhumanity."

—AlexisdeTocqueville,DemocracyinAmerica{endfootnote}

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RULESFORRADICALS

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ThePurpose

Thelifeofmanuponearthisawarfare...—Job7:1

WHATFOLLOWSISforthosewhowanttochangetheworldfromwhatitistowhattheybelieveitshouldbe.ThePrincewaswrittenbyMachiavellifortheHavesonhowtoholdpower.RulesforRadicalsiswrittenfortheHave-Notsonhowtotakeitaway.

Inthisbookweareconcernedwithhowtocreatemassorganizationstoseizepowerandgiveittothepeople;torealizethedemocraticdreamofequality,justice,peace,cooperation,equalandfullopportunitiesforeducation,fullandusefulemployment,health,andthecreationofthosecircumstancesinwhichmancanhavethechancetolivebyvaluesthatgivemeaningtolife.Wearetalkingaboutamasspowerorganizationwhichwillchangetheworldintoaplacewhereallmenandwomenwalkerect,inthespiritofthatcredooftheSpanishCivilWar,"Bettertodieonyourfeetthantoliveonyourknees."Thismeansrevolution.

Thesignificantchangesinhistoryhavebeenmadebyrevolutions.Therearepeoplewhosaythatitisnotrevolution,butevolution,thatbringsaboutchange—butevolutionissimplythetermusedbynonparticipantstodenoteaparticularsequenceofrevolutionsastheysynthesizedintoaspecificmajorsocialchange.InthisbookIproposecertaingeneralobservations,propositions,andconceptsofthemechanicsofmassmovementsandthevariousstagesofthecycleofactionandreactioninrevolution.Thisisnotanideologicalbookexceptinsofarasargumentforchange,ratherthanforthestatusquo,canbecalledanideology;differentpeople,indifferentplaces,indifferentsituationsanddifferenttimeswillconstructtheirownsolutionsandsymbolsofsalvationforthosetimes.Thisbookwillnotcontainanypanaceaordogma;Idetestandfeardogma.Iknowthatallrevolutionsmusthaveideologiestospurthemon.Thatintheheatofconflicttheseideologiestendtobesmeltedintorigiddogmasclaimingexclusivepossessionofthetruth,andthekeystoparadise,istragic.Dogmaistheenemyofhumanfreedom.Dogmamustbewatchedforandapprehendedateveryturnandtwistoftherevolutionarymovement.Thehumanspiritglowsfromthatsmallinnerlightofdoubtwhetherweareright,whilethosewhobelievewithcompletecertaintythattheypossesstherightaredarkinsideanddarkentheworldoutsidewithcruelty,pain,andinjustice.ThosewhoenshrinethepoororHave-Notsareasguiltyasotherdogmatistsandjustasdangerous.Todiminishthedangerthatideologywilldeteriorateintodogma,andto

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protectthefree,open,questing,andcreativemindofman,aswellastoallowforchange,noideologyshouldbemorespecificthanthatofAmerica'sfoundingfathers:"Forthegeneralwelfare."

NielsBohr,thegreatatomicphysicist,admirablystatedthecivilizedpositionondogmatism:"EverysentenceIuttermustbeunderstoodnotasanaffirmation,butasaquestion."Iwillarguethatman'shopeslieintheacceptanceofthegreatlawofchange;thatageneralunderstandingoftheprinciplesofchangewillprovidecluesforrationalactionandanawarenessoftherealisticrelationshipbetweenmeansandendsandhoweachdeterminestheother.Ihopethatthesepageswillcontributetotheeducationoftheradicalsoftoday,andtotheconversionofhot,emotional,impulsivepassionsthatareimpotentandfrustratingtoactionsthatwillbecalculated,purposeful,andeffective.

Anexampleofthepoliticalinsensitivityofmanyoftoday'sso-calledradicalsandthelostopportunitiesisfoundinthisaccountofanepisodeduringthetrialoftheChicagoSeven:

Overtheweekendsomehundredfiftylawyers,fromallpartsofthecountry,hadgatheredinChicagotopicketthefederalbuildinginprotestagainstJudgeHoffman's[arrestof]thefourlawyers.Thisdelegation,whichwassupportedbythirteenmembersofthefacultyofHarvardLawSchoolandwhichincludedanumberofotherprofessorsaswell,submittedabrief,asfriendoftheCourt,whichcalledJudgeHoffman'sactions"atravestyofjustice[which]threatenstodestroytheconfidenceoftheAmericanpeopleintheentirejudicialprocess..."Byteno'clocktheangrylawyershadbeguntomarcharoundtheFederalBuilding,wheretheywerejoinedbyhundredsofstudentradicals,severalBlackPanthers,andahundredormoreblue-helmetedChicagopolice.

Shortlybeforenoon,aboutfortyofthepicketinglawyerscarriedtheirsignsintothelobbyoftheFederalBuilding,despitethenoticepostedontheglasswallbesidetheentrance,andsignedbyJudgeCampbell,forbiddingsuchdemonstrationswithinthebuilding.Hardlyhadthelawyersentered,however,thanJudgeCampbellhimselfdescendedtothelobby,dressedinhisblackrobesandaccompaniedbyamarshal,astenographer,andhiscourtclerk.Surroundedbytheangrylawyers,whowerethemselvesencircledbyaringofpoliceandfederalmarshals,theJudgeproceededtoholdCourtthenandthere.Heannouncedthatunlessthepicketswithdrewimmediately,hewouldchargethemwithcontempt.Thistime,hewarned,therecouldbenoquestionthattheircontemptwouldoccurinthepresenceoftheCourt,andwouldthusbesubjecttosummarypunishment.Nosoonerhadhemadethisannouncementhowever,

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thanavoicefromthethrongshouted,"Fuckyou,Campbell."Afteramomentoftensesilence,followedbyacheerfromthecrowdandanoticeablestiffeningamongthepolice,JudgeCampbellhimselfwithdrew.Thenthelawyers,too,leftthelobbyandrejoinedthepicketsonthesidewalk.—JasonEpstein,TheGreatConspiracyTrial,

RandomHouse,1970.

Thepicketinglawyersthrewawayabeautifulopportunitytocreateanationwideissue.Offhand,therewouldseemtohavebeentwochoices,eitherofwhichwouldhaveforcedthejudge'shandandkepttheissuegoing:someoneofthelawyerscouldhavesteppeduptothejudgeafterthevoicesaid,"Fuckyou,Campbell,"saidthatthelawyerstheredidnotsupportpersonalobscenities,buttheywerenotleaving;orallthelawyerstogethercouldhavechorused,withonevoice,"Fuckyou,Campbell!"Theydidneither;instead,theylettheinitiativepassfromthemtothejudge,andachievednothing.

Radicalsmustberesilient,adaptabletoshiftingpoliticalcircumstances,andsensitiveenoughtotheprocessofactionandreactiontoavoidbeingtrappedbytheirowntacticsandforcedtotravelaroadnotoftheirchoosing.Inshort,radicalsmusthaveadegreeofcontrolovertheflowofevents.

HereIproposetopresentanarrangementofcertainfactsandgeneralconceptsofchange,asteptowardascienceofrevolution.

Allsocietiesdiscourageandpenalizeideasandwritingsthatthreatentherulingstatusquo.Itisunderstandable,therefore,thattheliteratureofaHavesocietyisaveritabledesertwheneverwelookforwritingsonsocialchange.OncetheAmericanRevolutionwasdonewith,wecanfindverylittlebesidestherightofrevolutionthatislaiddownintheDeclarationofIndependenceasafundamentalright;seventy-threeyearslaterThoreau'sbriefessayon"TheDutyofCivilDisobedience";followedbyLincoln'sreaffirmationoftherevolutionaryrightin1861.{footnote1}Therearemanyphrasesextollingthesacrednessofrevolution—thatis,revolutionsofthepast.Ourenthusiasmforthesacredrightofrevolutionisincreasedandenhancedwiththepassageoftime.Theoldertherevolution,themoreitrecedesintohistory,themoresacreditbecomes.ExceptforThoreau'slimitedremarks,oursocietyhasgivenusfewwordsofadvice,fewsuggestionsofhowtofertilizesocialchange.

FromtheHaves,ontheotherhand,therehascomeanunceasingfloodofliteraturejustifyingthestatusquo.Religious,economic,social,political,andlegaltracts

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endlesslyattackallrevolutionaryideasandactionforchangeasimmoral,fallaciousandagainstGod,country,andmother.Theseliterarysedationsbythestatusquoincludethethreatthat,sinceallsuchmovementsareunpatriotic,subversive,spawnedinhellandreptilianintheircreepinginsidiousness,direpunishmentswillbemetedouttotheirsupporters.Allgreatrevolutions,includingChristianity,thevariousreformations,democracy,capitalism,andsocialism,havesufferedtheseepithetsinthetimesoftheirbirth.Tothestatusquoconcernedaboutitspublicimage,revolutionistheonlyforcewhichhasnoimage,butinsteadcastsadark,ominousshadowofthingstocome.

TheHave-Notsoftheworld,sweptupintheirpresentupheavalsanddesperatelyseekingrevolutionarywritings,canfindsuchliteratureonlyfromthecommunists,bothredandyellow.Heretheycanreadabouttactics,maneuvers,strategyandprinciplesofactioninthemakingofrevolutions.Sinceinthisliteratureallideasareimbeddedinthelanguageofcommunism,revolutionappearssynonymouswithcommunism.{footnote2}When,inthethroesoftheirrevolutionaryfervor,theHave-Notshungrilyturntousintheirfirststepsfromstarvationtosubsistence,werespondwithabewildering,unbelievable,andmeaninglessconglomerationofabstractionsaboutfreedom,morality,equality,andthedangerofintellectualenslavementbycommunisticideology!Thisisaccompaniedbycharitablehandoutsdressedupinribbonsofmoralprincipleand"freedom,"withthepricetagofunqualifiedpoliticalloyaltytous.WiththecomingoftheRevolutionsinRussiaandChinawesuddenlyunderwentamoralconversionandbecameconcernedforthewelfareofourbrothersallovertheworld.RevolutionbytheHave-NotshasawayofinducingamoralrevelationamongtheHaves.

RevolutionbytheHave-Notsalsoinducesaparanoidfear;now,therefore,wefindeverycorruptandrepressivegovernmenttheworldaroundsayingtous,"Giveusmoneyandsoldiersortherewillbearevolutionandthenewleaderswillbeyourenemies."Fearfulofrevolutionandidentifyingourselvesasthestatusquo,wehavepermittedthecommuniststoassumebydefaulttherevolutionaryhaloofjusticefortheHave-Nots.Wethencompoundthismistakebyassumingthatthestatusquoeverywheremustbedefendedandbuttressedagainstrevolution.Todayrevolutionhasbecomesynonymouswithcommunismwhilecapitalismissynonymouswithstatusquo.Occasionallywewillacceptarevolutionifitisguaranteedtobeonourside,andthenonlywhenwerealizethattherevolutionisinevitable.Weabhorrevolutions.

Wehavepermittedasuicidalsituationtounfoldwhereinrevolutionandcommunismhavebecomeone.Thesepagesarecommittedtosplittingthispoliticalatom,separatingthisexclusiveidentificationofcommunismwithrevolution.Ifit

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werepossiblefortheHave-Notsoftheworldtorecognizeandaccepttheideathatrevolutiondidnotinevitablymeanhateandwar,coldorhot,fromtheUnitedStates,thatalonewouldbeagreatrevolutioninworldpoliticsandthefutureofman.Thisisamajorreasonformyattempttoprovidearevolutionaryhandbooknotcastinacommunistorcapitalistmold,butasamanualfortheHave-Notsoftheworldregardlessofthecoloroftheirskinsortheirpolitics.Myaimhereistosuggesthowtoorganizeforpower:howtogetitandtouseit.Iwillarguethatthefailuretousepowerforamoreequitabledistributionofthemeansoflifeforallpeoplesignalstheendoftherevolutionandthestartofthecounterrevolution.

Revolutionhasalwaysadvancedwithanideologicalspearjustasthestatusquohasinscribeditsideologyuponitsshield.Alloflifeispartisan.Thereisnodispassionateobjectivity.Therevolutionaryideologyisnotconfinedtoaspecificlimitedformula.Itisaseriesofgeneralprinciples,rootedinLincoln'sMay19,1856,statement:"Benotdeceived.Revolutionsdonotgobackward."

THEIDEOLOGYOFCHANGE

Thisraisesthequestion:what,ifany,ismyideology?Whatkindofideology,ifany,cananorganizerhavewhoisworkinginandforafreesociety?Theprerequisiteforanideologyispossessionofabasictruth.Forexample,aMarxistbeginswithhisprimetruththatallevilsarecausedbytheexploitationoftheproletariatbythecapitalists.Fromthishelogicallyproceedstotherevolutiontoendcapitalism,thenintothethirdstageofreorganizationintoanewsocialorderorthedictatorshipoftheproletariat,andfinallythelaststage—thepoliticalparadiseofcommunism.TheChristiansalsobeginwiththeirprimetruth:thedivinityofChristandthetripartitenatureofGod.Outofthese"primetruths"flowastep-by-stepideology.

Anorganizerworkinginandforanopensocietyisinanideologicaldilemma.Tobeginwith,hedoesnothaveafixedtruth—truthtohimisrelativeandchanging;everythingtohimisrelativeandchanging.Heisapolitcal{sic}relativist.HeacceptsthelateJusticeLearnedHand'sstatementthat"themarkofafreemanisthatever-gnawinginneruncertaintyastowhetherornotheisright."Theconsequenceisthatheiseveronthehuntforthecausesofman'splightandthegeneralpropositionsthathelptomakesomesenseoutofman'sirrationalworld.Hemustconstantlyexaminelife,includinghisown,togetsomeideaofwhatitisallabout,andhemustchallengeandtesthisownfindings.Irreverence,essentialtoquestioning,isarequisite.Curiositybecomescompulsive.Hismostfrequentwordis"why?"{footnote3}

Doesthisthenmeanthattheorganizerinafreesocietyforafreesocietyis

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rudderless?No,Ibelievethathehasafarbettersenseofdirectionandcompassthantheclosedsocietyorganizerwithhisrigidpoliticalideology.First,thefree-societyorganizerisloose,resilient,fluid,andonthemoveinasocietywhichisitselfinastateofconstantchange.Totheextentthatheisfreefromtheshacklesofdogma,hecanrespondtotherealitiesofthewidelydifferentsituationsoursocietypresents.Intheendhehasoneconviction—abeliefthatifpeoplehavethepowertoact,inthelongruntheywill,mostofthetime,reachtherightdecisions.Thealternativetothiswouldberulebytheelite—eitheradictatorshiporsomeformofapoliticalaristocracy.IamnotconcernedifthisfaithinpeopleisregardedasaprimetruthandthereforeacontradictionofwhatIhavealreadywritten,forlifeisastoryofcontradictions.Believinginpeople,theradicalhasthejoboforganizingthemsothattheywillhavethepowerandopportunitytobestmeeteachunforeseeablefuturecrisisastheymoveaheadintheireternalsearchforthosevaluesofequality,justice,freedom,peace,adeepconcernforthepreciousnessofhumanlife,andallthoserightsandvaluespropoundedbyJudaeo-Christianityandthedemocraticpoliticaltradition.Democracyisnotanendbutthebestmeanstowardachievingthesevalues.ThisismycredoforwhichIliveand,ifneedbe,die.

Thebasicrequirementfortheunderstandingofthepoliticsofchangeistorecognizetheworldasitis.Wemustworkwithitonitstermsifwearetochangeittothekindofworldwewouldlikeittobe.Wemustfirstseetheworldasitisandnotaswewouldlikeittobe.Wemustseetheworldasallpoliticalrealistshave,intermsof"whatmendoandnotwhattheyoughttodo,"asMachiavelliandothershaveputit.

Itispainfultoacceptfullythesimplefactthatonebeginsfromwhereoneis,thatonemustbreakfreeofthewebofillusionsonespinsaboutlife.Mostofusviewtheworldnotasitisbutaswewouldlikeittobe.Thepreferredworldcanbeseenanyeveningontelevisioninthesuccessionofprogramswherethegoodalwayswins—thatis,untilthelateeveningnewscast,whensuddenlyweareplungedintotheworldasitis.{footnote4}

Politicalrealistsseetheworldasitis:anarenaofpowerpoliticsmovedprimarilybyperceivedimmediateself-interests,wheremoralityisrhetoricalrationaleforexpedientactionandself-interest.Twoexampleswouldbethepriestwhowantstobeabishopandbootlicksandpolitickshiswayup,justifyingitwiththerationale,"AfterIgettobebishopI'llusemyofficeforChristianreformation,"orthebusinessmanwhoreasons,"FirstI'llmakemymillionandafterthatI'llgofortherealthingsinlife."Unfortunatelyonechangesinmanywaysontheroadtothebishopricorthefirstmillion,andthenonesays,"I'llwaituntilI'macardinalandthenIcanbemoreeffective,"or,"IcandoalotmoreafterIgettwomillion"—and

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soitgoes.{footnote5}Inthisworldlawsarewrittenfortheloftyaimof"thecommongood"andthenactedoutinlifeonthebasisofthecommongreed.Inthisworldirrationalityclingstomanlikehisshadowsothattherightthingsaredoneforthewrongreasons—afterwards,wedredgeuptherightreasonsforjustification.Itisaworldnotofangelsbutofangles,wheremenspeakofmoralprinciplesbutactonpowerprinciples;aworldwherewearealwaysmoralandourenemiesalwaysimmoral;aworldwhere"reconciliation"meansthatwhenonesidegetsthepowerandtheothersidegetsreconciledtoit,thenwehavereconciliation;aworldofreligiousinstitutionsthathave,inthemain,cometosupportandjustifythestatusquosothattodayorganizedreligionismateriallysolventandspirituallybankrupt.WelivewithaJudaeo-Christianethicthathasnotonlyaccommodateditselftobutjustifiedslavery,war,andeveryotheruglyhumanexploitationofwhicheverstatusquohappenedtoprevail:

Weliveinaworldwhere"good"isavaluedependentonwhetherwewantit.Intheworldasitis,thesolutionofeachprobleminevitablycreatesanewone.Intheworldasitistherearenopermanenthappyorsadendings.Suchendingsbelongtotheworldoffantasy,theworldaswewouldlikeittobe,theworldofchildren'sfairytaleswhere"theylivedhappilyeverafter."Intheworldasitis,thestreamofeventssurgesendlesslyonwardwithdeathastheonlyterminus.Oneneverreachesthehorizon;itisalwaysjustbeyond,everbeckoningonward;itisthepursuitoflifeitself.Thisistheworldasitis.Thisiswhereyoustart.

Itisnotaworldofpeaceandbeautyanddispassionaterationality,butasHenryJamesoncewrote,"Lifeis,infact,abattle.Evilisinsolentandstrong;beautyenchantingbutrare;goodnessveryapttobeweak;follyveryapttobedefiant;wickednesstocarrytheday;imbecilestobeingreatplaces,peopleofsenseinsmall,andmankindgenerallyunhappy.Buttheworldasitstandsisnonarrowillusion,nophantasm,noevildreamofthenight;wewakeuptoitagainforeverandever;andwecanneitherforgetitnordenyitnordispensewithit."HenryJames'sstatementisanaffirmationofthatofJob:"Thelifeofmanuponearthisawarfare..."Disraeliputitsuccinctly:"Politicallifemustbetakenasyoufindit."

Oncewehavemovedintotheworldasitisthenwebegintoshedfallacyafterfallacy.Theprimeillusionwemustridourselvesofistheconventionalviewinwhichthingsareseenseparatefromtheirinevitablecounterparts.Weknowintellectuallythateverthing{sic}isfunctionallyinterrelated,butinouroperationswesegmentandisolateallvaluesandissues.Everythingaboutusmustbeseenastheindivisiblepartnerofitsconverse,lightanddarkness,goodandevil,lifeanddeath.Fromthemomentwearebornwebegintodie.Happinessandmiseryareinseparable.Soarepeaceandwar.Thethreatofdestructionfromnuclearenergy

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converselycarriestheopportunityofpeaceandplenty,andsowitheverycomponentofthisuniverse;allispairedinthisenormousNoah'sArkoflife.

Lifeseemstolackrhymeorreasonorevenashadowoforderunlessweapproachitwiththekeyofconverses.Seeingeverythinginitsduality,webegintogetsomedimcluestodirectionandwhatit'sallabout.Itisinthesecontradictionsandtheirincessantinteractingtensionsthatcreativitybegins.Aswebegintoaccepttheconceptofcontradictionsweseeeveryproblemorissueinitswhole,interrelatedsense.Wethenrecognizethatforeverypositivethereisanegative,{footnote6}andthatthereisnothingpositivewithoutitsconcomitantnegative,noranypoliticalparadisewithoutitsnegativeside.

NielsBohrpointedoutthattheappearanceofcontradictionswasasignalthattheexperimentwasontherighttrack:"Thereisnotmuchhopeifwehaveonlyonedifficulty,butwhenwehavetwo,wecanmatchthemoffagainsteachother."Bohrcalledthis"complementarity,"meaningthattheinterplayofseeminglyconflictingforcesoroppositesistheactualharmonyofnature.Whiteheadsimilarlyobserved,"Informallogic,acontradictionisthesignalofadefeat;butintheevolutionofrealknowledgeitmarksthefirststepinprogresstowardsavictory,"

Everywhereyoulookallchangeshowsthiscomplementarity.InChicagothepeopleofUptonSinclair'sJungle,thentheworstsluminAmerica,crushedbystarvationwageswhentheyworked,demoralized,diseased,livinginrottingshacks,wereorganized.Theirbannersproclaimedequalityforallraces,jobsecurity,andadecentlifeforall.Withtheirpowertheyfoughtandwon.Today,aspartofthemiddleclass,theyarealsopartofourracist,discriminatoryculture.

TheTennesseeValleyAuthoritywasoneoftheprizejewelsinthedemocraticcrown.Visitorscamefromeverypartoftheworldtosee,admire,andstudythisphysicalandsocialachievementofafreesociety.TodayitisthescourgeoftheCumberlandMountains,stripminingforcoalandwreakinghavoconthecountryside.

TheC.I.O.wasthemilitantchampionofAmerica'sworkers.Initsranks,directlyandindirectly,wereallofAmerica'sradicals;theyfoughtthecorporatestructureofthenationandwon.Today,mergedwiththeA.F.ofL.,itisanentrenchedmemberoftheestablishmentanditsleadersupportsthewarinVietnam.

Anotherexampleistoday'shigh-risepublichousingprojects.Originallyconceivedandcarriedthroughasmajoradvancesinriddingcitiesofslums,theyinvolvedthetearingdownofrotting,rat-infestedtenements,andtheerectionofmodern

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apartmentbuildings.TheywereacclaimedasAmerica'srefusaltopermititspeopletoliveinthedirtyshamblesoftheslums.Itiscommonknowledgethattheyhaveturnedintojunglesofhorrorandnowconfrontuswiththeproblemofhowwecaneitherconvertorgetridofthem.Theyhavebecomecompoundsofdoublesegregation—onthebasesofbotheconomyandrace—andadangerforanyonecompelledtoliveintheseprojects.Abeautifulpositivedreamhasgrownintoanegativenightmare.

Itistheuniversaltaleofrevolutionandreaction.Itistheconstantstrugglebetweenthepositiveanditsconversenegative,whichincludesthereversalofrolessothatthepositiveoftodayisthenegativeoftomorrowandviceversa.

Thisviewofnaturerecognizesthatrealityisdual.Theprinciplesofquantummechanicsinphysicsapplyevenmoredramaticallytothemechanicsofmassmovements.Thisistruenotonlyin"complementarity"butintherepudiationofthehithertouniversalconceptofcausality,wherebymatterandphysicswereunderstoodintermsofcauseandeffect,whereforeveryeffecttherehadtobeacauseandonealwaysproducedtheother.Inquantummechanics,causalitywaslargelyreplacedbyprobability:anelectronoratomdidnothavetodoanythingspecificinresponsetoaparticularforce;therewasjustasetofprobabilitiesthatitwouldreactinthisorthatway.Thisisfundamentalintheobservationsandpropositionswhichfollow.Atnotimeinanydiscussionoranalysisofmassmovements,tactics,oranyotherphaseoftheproblem,canitbesaidthatifthisisdonethenthatwillresult.Themostwecanhopetoachieveisanunderstandingoftheprobabilitiesconsequenttocertainactions.

Thisgraspofthedualityofallphenomenaisvitalinourunderstandingofpolitics.Itfreesonefromthemyththatoneapproachispositiveandanothernegative.Thereisnosuchthinginlife.Oneman'spositiveisanotherman'snegative.Thedescriptionofanyprocedureas"positive"or"negative"isthemarkofapoliticalilliterate.

Oncethenatureofrevolutionisunderstoodfromthedualisticoutlookweloseourmono-viewofarevolutionandseeitcoupledwithitsinevitablecounterrevolution.Onceweacceptandlearntoanticipatetheinevitablecounterrevolution,wemaythenalterthehistoricalpatternofrevolutionandcounterrevolutionfromthetraditionalslowadvanceoftwostepsforwardandonestepbackwardtominimizingthelatter.Eachelementwithitspositiveandconversesidesisfusedtootherrelatedelementsinanendlessseriesofeverything,sothattheconverseofrevolutionononesideiscounterrevolutionandontheotherside,reformation,andsooninanendlesschainofconnectedconverses.

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CLASSDISTINCTIONS:THETRINITY

Thesettingforthedramaofchangehasnevervaried.Mankindhasbeenandisdividedintothreeparts:theHaves,theHave-Nots,andtheHave-a-Little,WantMores.

OntoparetheHaveswithpower,money,food,security,andluxury.TheysuffocateintheirsurpluseswhiletheHave-Notsstarve.NumericallytheHaveshavealwaysbeenthefewest.TheHaveswanttokeepthingsastheyareandareopposedtochange.Thermopoliticallytheyarecoldanddeterminedtofreezethestatusquo.

Onthebottomaretheworld'sHave-Nots.Ontheworldscenetheyarebyfarthegreatestinnumbers.Theyarechainedtogetherbythecommonmiseryofpoverty,rottenhousing,disease,ignorance,politicalimpotence,anddespair;whentheyareemployedtheirjobspaytheleastandtheyaredeprivedinallareasbasictohumangrowth.Cagedbycolor,physicalorpolitical,theyarebarredfromanopportunitytorepresentthemselvesinthepoliticsoflife.TheHaveswanttokeep;theHave-Notswanttoget,Thermopoliticallytheyareamassofcoldashesofresignationandfatalism,butinsidethereareglowingembersofhopewhichcanbefannedbythebuildingofmeansofobtainingpower.Oncethefeverbeginstheflamewillfollow.Theyhavenowheretogobutup.

TheyhatetheestablishmentoftheHaveswithitsarrogantopulence,itspolice,itscourts,anditschurches.Justice,morality,law,andorder,aremerewordswhenusedbytheHaves,whichjustifyandsecuretheirstatusquo.ThepoweroftheHave-Notsrestsonlywiththeirnumbers.IthasbeensaidthattheHaves,livingunderthenightmareofpossiblethreatstotheirpossessions,arealwaysfacedwiththequestionof"whendowesleep?"whiletheperennialquestionoftheHave-Notsis"whendoweeat?"ThecryoftheHave-Notshasneverbeen"giveusyourhearts"butalways"getoffourbacks";theyasknotforlovebutforbreathingspace.

BetweentheHavesandHave-NotsaretheHave-a-Little,WantMores—themiddleclass.Tornbetweenupholdingthestatusquotoprotectthelittletheyhave,yetwantingchangesotheycangetmore,theybecomesplitpersonalities.Theycouldbedescribedassocial,economic,andpoliticalschizoids.Generally,theyseekthesafeway,wheretheycanprofitbychangeandyetnotrisklosingthelittletheyhave.Theyinsistonaminimumofthreeacesbeforeplayingahandinthepokergameofrevolution.Thermopoliticallytheyaretepidandrootedininertia.TodayinWesternsocietyandparticularlyintheUnitedStatestheycomprisethemajorityofourpopulation.

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YetintheconflictinginterestsandcontradictionswithintheHave-a-Little,WantMoresisthegenesisofcreativity.Outofthisclasshavecome,withfewexceptions,thegreatworldleadersofchangeofthepastcenturies:Moses,PaulofTarsus,MartinLuther,Robespierre,GeorgesDanton,SamuelAdams,AlexanderHamilton,ThomasJefferson,NapoleonBonaparte,GiuseppeGaribaldi,NikolaiLenin,MahatmaGandhi,FidelCastro,MaoTse-tung,andothers.

JustastheclashofinterestswithintheHave-a-Little,WantMoreshasbredsomanyofthegreatleadersithasalsospawnedaparticularbreedstalematedbycrossinterestsintoinaction.TheseDo-Nothingsprofessacommitmenttosocialchangeforidealsofjustice,equality,andopportunity,andthenabstainfromanddiscouragealleffectiveactionforchange.Theyareknownbytheirbrand,"Iagreewithyourendsbutnotyourmeans."Theyfunctionasblanketswheneverpossiblesmotheringsparksofdissensionthatpromisetoflareupintothefireofaction.TheseDo-Nothingsappearpubliclyasgoodmen,humanitarian,concernedwithjusticeanddignity.Inpracticetheyareinvidious.TheyaretheonesEdmundBurkereferredtowhenhesaid,acidly:"Theonlythingnecessaryforthetriumphofevilisforgoodmentodonothing."Boththerevolutionaryleaders,ortheDoers,andtheDo-Nothingswillbeexaminedinthesepages.

ThehistoryofprevailingstatusquosshowsdecayanddecadenceinfectingtheopulentmaterialismoftheHaves.ThespirituallifeoftheHavesisaritualisticjustificationoftheirpossessions.

Morethanonehundredyearsago,Tocquevillecommented,asdidotherstudentsofAmericaatthattime,thatself-indulgenceaccompaniedbyconcernfornothingexceptpersonalmaterialisticwelfarewasthemajormenacetoAmerica'sfuture.WhiteheadnotedinAdventuresofIdeasthat"Theenjoymentofpowerisfataltothesubtletiesoflife.Rulingclassesdegeneratebyreasonoftheirlazyindulgenceinobviousgratifications."Insuchastatemenmaybesaidtofallasleep,foritisinsleepthatweeachturnawayfromtheworldaboutustoourprivateworlds.{footnote7}Imustquoteonemorebookpertinenttothissubject:inAliceinWonderland,Tiger-LilyexplainsaboutthetalkingflowerstoAlice.Tiger-Lilypointsoutthattheflowersthattalkgrowoutofhardbedsofgroundand"inmostgardens,"Tiger-Lilysays,"theymakethebedstoosoft—sothattheflowersarealwaysasleep."Itisasthoughthegreatlawofchangehadpreparedtheanesthesization{sic}ofthevictimpriortothesocialsurgerytocome.

Changemeansmovement.Movementmeansfriction.Onlyinthefrictionlessvacuumofanonexistentabstractworldcanmovementorchangeoccurwithoutthatabrasivefrictionofconflict.Inthesepagesitisouropenpoliticalpurposeto

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cooperatewiththegreatlawofchange;towantotherwisewouldbelikeKingCanute'scommandingthetidesandwavestocease.

Awordaboutmypersonalphilosophy.Itisanchoredinoptimism.Itmustbe,foroptimismbringswithithope,afuturewithapurpose,andtherefore,awilltofightforabetterworld.Withoutthisoptimism,thereisnoreasontocarryon.Ifwethinkofthestruggleasaclimbupamountain,thenwemustvisualizeamountainwithnotop.Weseeatop,butwhenwefinallyreachit,theovercastrisesandwefindourselvesmerelyonabluff.Themountaincontinuesonup.Nowweseethe"real"topaheadofus,andstriveforit,onlytofindwe'vereachedanotherbluff,thetopstillaboveus.Andsoitgoeson,interminably.

Knowingthatthemountainhasnotop,thatitisaperpetualquestfromplateautoplateau,thequestionarises,"Whythestruggle,theconflict,theheartbreak,thedanger,thesacrifice.Whytheconstantclimb?"Ouransweristhesameasthatwhicharealmountainclimbergiveswhenheisaskedwhyhedoeswhathedoes."Becauseit'sthere."Becauselifeisthereaheadofyouandeitheronetestsoneselfinitschallengesorhuddlesinthevalleysinadreamlessday-to-dayexistencewhoseonlypurposeisthepreservationofanillusorysecurityandsafety.Thelatteriswhatthevastmajorityofpeoplechoosetodo,fearingtheadventureintotheunknown.Paradoxically,theygiveupthedreamofwhatmaylieaheadontheheightsoftomorrowforaperpetualnightmare—anendlesssuccessionofdaysfearingthelossofatenuoussecurity.

UnlikethechoreofthemythicSisyphis{sic},thischallengeisnotanendlesspushingupofabouldertothetopofahill,onlytohaveitrollbackagain,thechoretoberepeatedeternally.Itispushingtheboulderupanendlessmountain,but,unlikeSisyphis{sic},wearealwaysgoingfurtherupward.AndalsounlikeSisyphis{sic},eachstageofthetrailupwardisdifferent,newlydramatic,anadventureeachtime.

Attimeswedofallbackandbecomediscouraged,butitisnotthatwearemakingnoprogress.Simply,thisistheverynatureoflife—thatitisaclimb—andthattheresolutionofeachissueinturncreatesotherissues,bornofplightswhichareunimaginabletoday.Thepursuitofhappinessisnever-ending;happinessliesinthepursuit.

Confrontedwiththematerialisticdecadenceofthestatusquo,oneshouldnotbesurprisedtofindthatallrevolutionarymovementsareprimarilygeneratedfromspiritualvaluesandconsiderationsofjustice,equality,peace,andbrotherhood.Historyisarelayofrevolutions;thetorchofidealismiscarriedbytherevolutionarygroupuntilthisgroupbecomesanestablishment,andthenquietlythe

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torchisputdowntowaituntilanewrevolutionarygrouppicksitupforthenextlegoftherun.Thustherevolutionarycyclegoeson.

Amajorrevolutiontobewonintheimmediatefutureisthedissipationofman'sillusionthathisownwelfarecanbeseparatefromthatofallothers.Aslongasmanisshackledtothismyth,solongwillthehumanspiritlanguish.Concernforourprivate,materialwell-beingwithdisregardforthewell-beingofothersisimmoralaccordingtothepreceptsofourJudaeo-Christiancivilization,butworse,itisstupidityworthyoftheloweranimals.Itisman'sfootstilldraggingintheprimevalslimeofhisbeginnings,inignoranceandmereanimalcunning.Butthosewhoknowtheinterdependenceofmantobehismajorstrengthinthestruggleoutofthemuckhavenotbeenwiseintheirexhortationsandmoralpronouncementsthatmanishisbrother'skeeper.Onthatscoretherecordofthepastcenturieshasbeenadisaster,foritwaswrongtoassumethatmanwouldpursuemoralityonalevelhigherthanhisday-to-daylivingdemanded;itwasadisservicetothefuturetoseparatemoralityfromman'sdailydesiresandelevateittoaplaneofaltruismandself-sacrifice.Thefactisthatitisnotman's"betternature"buthisself-interestthatdemandsthathebehisbrother'skeeper.Wenowliveinaworldwherenomancanhavealoafofbreadwhilehisneighborhasnone.Ifhedoesnotsharehisbread,hedarenotsleep,forhisneighborwillkillhim.Toeatandsleepinsafetymanmustdotherightthing,ifforseeminglythewrongreasons,andbeinpracticehisbrother'skeeper.

Ibelievethatmanisabouttolearnthatthemostpracticallifeisthemorallifeandthatthemorallifeistheonlyroadtosurvival.Heisbeginningtolearnthathewilleithersharepartofhismaterialwealthorloseallofit;thathewillrespectandlearntolivewithotherpoliticalideologiesifhewantscivilizationtogoon.Thisisthekindofargumentthatman'sactualexperienceequipshimtounderstandandaccept.Thisisthelowroadtomorality.Thereisnoother.

{footnote1}Lincoln'sFirstInaugural."Thiscountry,withitsinstitutions,belongstothepeoplewhoinhabitit.Whenevertheyshallgrowwearyoftheexistinggovernment,theycanexercisetheirconstitutionalrightofamendingit,ortheirrevolutionaryrighttodismemberoroverthrowit."{endfootnote}

{footnote2}U.S.SupremeCourtJusticeWilliamO.Douglas,"TheU.S.andRevolution,"CenterfortheStudyofDemocraticInstitutionsOccasionalPaperNo.116:"OntripstoAsiaIoftenaskedmenintheirthirtiesandfortieswhattheywerereadingwhentheywereeighteen.Theyusuallyanswered'KarlMarx',andwhenIaskedthemwhy,theyreplied,'Wewereundercolonialrule,seekingawayout.Wewantedourindependence.Togetitwehadtomakerevolution.Theonlybooksonrevolutionwerepublishedbythecommunists.'Thesemenalmostinvariablyhadrepudiatedcommunismasapoliticalcult,retaining,however,atingeofsocialism.

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AsItalkedwiththem,Icametorealizethegreatopportunitieswemissedwhenwebecamepreoccupiedinfightingcommunismwithbombsandwithdollars,ratherthanwithideasofrevolution,offreedom,ofjustice."{endfootnote}

{footnote3}Somesayit'snocoincidencethatthequestionmarkisaninvertedplow,breakingupthehardsoilofoldbeliefsandpreparingforthenewgrowth.{endfootnote}

{footnote4}Withsomeexceptions.InoneofAmerica'sShangri-Lasofescapefromtheworldasitis,Carmel-by-the-Sea,California,onthecoastofthebeautifulMontereyPeninsula,radiostationKRMLusedtobroadcastthe"SunshineNews—whichheadlinesthepositive,onlythegoodnewsoftheworld!"

Intellectuals,whowouldscoffat"SunshineNews,"arenoexceptiontothepreferenceforalready-formulatedanswers.{endfootnote}

{footnote5}Eachyear,foranumberofyears,theactivistsinthegraduatingclassfromamajorCatholicseminarynearChicagowouldvisitmeforadayjustbeforetheirordination,withquestionsaboutvalues,revolutionarytactics,andsuch.Once,attheendofsuchaday,oneoftheseminarianssaid,"Mr.Alinsky,beforewecameherewemetandagreedthattherewasonequestionweparticularlywantedtoputtoyou.We'regoingtobeordained,andthenwe'llbeassignedtodifferentparishes,asassistantsto—frankly—stuffy,reactionary,oldpastors.Theywilldisapproveofalotofwhatyouandwebelievein,andwewillbeputintoakillingroutine.Ourquestionis:howdowekeepourfaithintrueChristianvalues,everythingwehopetodotochangethesystem?"

Thatwaseasy.Ianswered,"Whenyougooutthatdoor,justmakeyourownpersonaldecisionaboutwhetheryouwanttobeabishoporapriest,andeverythingelsewillfollow."{endfootnote}

{footnote6}FormorethanfourthousandyearstheChinesehavebeenfamiliarwiththeprincipleofcomplementarityintheirphilosophicallife.Theybelievethatfromtheillimitable(nature,Godorgods)cametheprincipleofcreationwhichtheycalledtheGreatExtremeandfromtheGreatExtremecametheTwoPrinciplesorDualPowers,YangandYin,outofwhichcameeverythingelse.YangandYinhavebeendefinedaspositiveandnegative,lightanddarkness,maleandfemale,ornumerousotherexamplesofoppositesorconverses.{endfootnote}

{footnote7}Heraclitus,Fragments:"Thewakinghaveoneworldincommon;sleepershaveeachaprivateworldofhisown."{endfootnote}

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OfMeansandEnds

Wecannotthinkfirstandactafterwards.Fromthemomentofbirthweareimmersedinactionandcanonlyfitfullyguideitbytakingthought.—AlfredNorthWhitehead

THATPERENNIALQUESTION,"Doestheendjustifythemeans?"ismeaninglessasitstands;therealandonlyquestionregardingtheethicsofmeansandendsis,andalwayshasbeen,"Doesthisparticularendjustifythisparticularmeans?"

Lifeandhowyouliveitisthestoryofmeansandends.Theendiswhatyouwant,andthemeansishowyougetit.Wheneverwethinkaboutsocialchange,thequestionofmeansandendsarises.Themanofactionviewstheissueofmeansandendsinpragmaticandstrategicterms.Hehasnootherproblem;hethinksonlyofhisactualresourcesandthepossibilitiesofvariouschoicesofaction.Heasksofendsonlywhethertheyareachievableandworththecost;ofmeans,onlywhethertheywillwork.Tosaythatcorruptmeanscorrupttheendsistobelieveintheimmaculateconceptionofendsandprinciples.Therealarenaiscorruptandbloody.Lifeisacorruptingprocessfromthetimeachildlearnstoplayhismotheroffagainsthisfatherinthepoliticsofwhentogotobed;hewhofearscorruptionfearslife.

ThepracticalrevolutionarywillunderstandGoethe's"conscienceisthevirtueofobserversandnotofagentsofaction";inaction,onedoesnotalwaysenjoytheluxuryofadecisionthatisconsistentbothwithone'sindividualconscienceandthegoodofmankind.Thechoicemustalwaysbeforthelatter.Actionisformasssalvationandnotfortheindividual'spersonalsalvation.Hewhosacrificesthemassgoodforhispersonalconsciencehasapeculiarconceptionof"personalsalvation";hedoesn'tcareenoughforpeopletobe"corrupted"forthem.

Themenwhopileuptheheapsofdiscussionandliteratureontheethicsofmeansandends—whichwithrareexceptionisconspicuousforitssterility—rarelywriteabouttheirownexperiencesintheperpetualstruggleoflifeandchange.Theyarestrangers,moreover,totheburdensandproblemsofoperationalresponsibilityandtheunceasingpressureforimmediatedecisions.Theyarepassionatelycommittedtoamysticalobjectivitywherepassionsaresuspect.Theyassumeanonexistentsituationwheremendispassionatelyandwithreasondrawanddevisemeansandendsasifstudyinganavigationalchartonland.Theycanberecognizedbyoneoftwoverbalbrands:"Weagreewiththeendsbutnotthemeans,"or"Thisisnotthe

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time."Themeans-and-endmoralistsornon-doersalwayswindupontheirendswithoutanymeans.

Themeans-and-endsmoralists,constantlyobsessedwiththeethicsofthemeansusedbytheHave-NotsagainsttheHaves,shouldsearchthemselvesastotheirrealpoliticalposition.Infact,theyarepassive—butreal—alliesoftheHaves.TheyaretheonesJacquesMaritainreferredtoinhisstatement,"Thefearofsoilingourselvesbyenteringthecontextofhistoryisnotvirtue,butawayofescapingvirtue."Thesenon-doersweretheoneswhochosenottofighttheNazisintheonlywaytheycouldhavebeenfought;theyweretheoneswhodrewtheirwindowblindstoshutouttheshamefulspectacleofJewsandpoliticalprisonersbeingdraggedthroughthestreets;theyweretheoneswhoprivatelydeploredthehorrorofitall—anddidnothing.Thisisthenadirofimmorality.Themostunethicalofallmeansisthenonuseofanymeans.ItisthisspeciesofmanwhosovehementlyandmilitantlyparticipatedinthatclassicallyidealisticdebateattheoldLeagueofNationsontheethicaldifferencesbetweendefensiveandoffensiveweapons.Theirfearsofactiondrivethemtorefugeinanethicssodivorcedfromthepoliticsoflifethatitcanapplyonlytoangels,nottomen.Thestandardsofjudgmentmustberootedinthewhysandwhereforesoflifeasitislived,theworldasitis,notourwished-forfantasyoftheworldasitshouldbe.

Ipresenthereaseriesofrulespertainingtotheethicsofmeansandends:first,thatone'sconcernwiththeethicsofmeansandendsvariesinverselywithone'spersonalinterestintheissue.Whenwearenotdirectlyconcernedourmoralityoverflows;asLaRochefoucauldputit,"Weallhavestrengthenoughtoendurethemisfortunesofothers."Accompanyingthisruleistheparallelonethatone'sconcernwiththeethicsofmeansandendsvariesinverselywithone'sdistancefromthesceneofconflict.

Thesecondruleoftheethicsofmeansandendsisthatthejudgmentoftheethicsofmeansisdependentuponthepoliticalpositionofthosesittinginjudgment.IfyouactivelyopposedtheNazioccupationandjoinedtheundergroundResistance,thenyouadoptedthemeansofassassination,terror,propertydestruction,thebombingoftunnelsandtrains,kidnapping,andthewillingnesstosacrificeinnocenthostagestotheendofdefeatingtheNazis.ThosewhoopposedtheNaziconquerorsregardedtheResistanceasasecretarmyofselfless,patrioticidealists,courageousbeyondexpectationandwillingtosacrificetheirlivestotheirmoralconvictions.Totheoccupationauthorities,however,thesepeoplewerelawlessterrorists,murderers,saboteurs,assassins,whobelievedthattheendjustifiedthemeans,andwereutterlyunethicalaccordingtothemysticalrulesofwar.Anyforeignoccupationwouldsoethicallyjudgeitsopposition.However,insuchconflict,neitherprotagonistisconcernedwithanyvalueexceptvictory.Itislifeordeath.

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