Liberation and Violence

Organisation, Reality and Revolution

Morning Comrades.

A lengthy subject, to be sure, and one that too many, genuine and involved comrades, want to shy away from is violence, especially organised violence. Organised Violence is a key component of any and all liberatory struggles against Capitalism and all it entails. To shy away from that fact, at this point in our history, is no longer juvenile but a threat in itself. Huey Newton said it best:

"We’re not metaphysicians, we’re not idealists, we’re dialectical materialists. And we deal with what reality is, whether we like it or not."

(if you ever want to read a speech that will put a fire in your ass, read this)

Before we start, a few, logical but apparently necessary statements to get out of the way. I have no in shape or form a fetish for violence. In an ideal situation I would be on the coast of Sicily sitting in a plastic chair with a book and bottle of wine, disappearing into the inherent irrelevance of our existence. I do, however, know, what I am or rather used to be good for. Like Newton said, we deal with reality with what it is, whether we like it or not. Additionally, this preoccupation with what needs to be done is the exact opposite of saying that everyone has to be violent in order for liberation to take place or that people that cannot or will not participate in violence are not part of said struggle. Every organised fighter cannot exist with a much larger supporting force, again, one of the core understandings of organisation and Marxist theory - each according to their abilities and you know the rest. A further translation in this context means, if you can, you do, and do so, so that the everyone can.

It is imperative that we talk about this subject as clearly as we can, reality demands it. Not only do we have to talk about violence but also how to wield it, how to ensure that it is part of our liberation and does not become the very reactionary power that capitalism holds over us.

The Necessity of Organised Violence in Liberation Struggles

In a capitalist world structured around exploitation, the ruling class maintains its dominance through systemic violence—economic, political, and military. Any attempt at genuine liberation must therefore contend with the reality that power is not relinquished willingly but must be seized and defended. As Marx famously stated, “Force is the midwife of every old society pregnant with a new one.” Every and any liberatory organisation seeking to overthrow or resist oppression must possess an organised force capable of repelling reactionary violence and exercising force when necessary. Without such a capacity, revolutionary movements remain vulnerable to repression, co-optation, or outright annihilation. Through historical and contemporary examples—including the Bolshevik Red Army, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, the National Liberation Front of Vietnam, and the African National Congress’s armed wing—we will demonstrate that the ability to apply organised force is not only necessary but has historically been decisive in revolutionary success. Finally, we will analyse how the Zapatistas (EZLN) and Rojava’s People’s Defence Units (YPG/YPJ) have successfully integrated armed forces into their broader political movements without allowing them to become threats to the revolution itself.