Auguste Blanqui was a seminal figure in socialist thought during the nineteenth century. His unique perspective on revolution provided insight and direction for future movements.
Blanqui was of the opinion that class struggle was an ongoing process and advocated socialism over capitalism. He believed the only way to end this struggle was through a revolutionary uprising.
Revolutionary Dictatorship
Blanqui, a major figure in French radicalism, was renowned for his dedication to his cause. He believed that the only way to overthrow an oppressive bourgeois government was by creating a revolutionary dictatorship of the people.
This notion is reminiscent of Karl Marx’s theory of revolution and its focus on revolutionary dictatorship. During the 1848 uprising, Marx wrote several articles advocating the “dictatorship of the proletariat,” or a form of power which would be imposed on workers by an idealistic leader.
In this respect, he and the Blanquists are similar to other workers’ revolutionary movements of the 19th century; they sought to establish a dictatorship that would educate the masses and transform capitalist society’s social structures.
According to this theory, a small revolutionary minority can overthrow a bourgeois government and create a new one that is socialist in nature. However, the dictatorship of the proletariat cannot be established without some sort of transitional period before a full-scale social revolution takes place.
The Commune
The Commune faced numerous difficulties, such as organizational and legal matters. Furthermore, it had to cope with an adversarial press.
However, the Commune had an innovative social vision. It was the first political party in France to advocate for workers’ rights and the abolition of capitalism.
Blanqui held that the only way to achieve these objectives was through revolution, in which a few elites would seize power for the working class. He took inspiration from both French Revolution and Jacobinism, asserting that people could only be liberated by elites backed by military force.
Blanqui was deeply committed to his vision, yet often failed to translate it into practical action. As a result, many of his supporters saw him as an archaic Jacobin who failed to evolve with the times.
The Economy
Blanqui’s world was heavily influenced by economics. His work on economics was one of the earliest works in liberal political thought, and his ideas about competition regulation proved influential as well.
In 1837, he published his Histoire, which provided a comprehensive examination of French economic theory. He was an outspoken opponent of capitalist monopoly and charged it with depriving workers of minds.
Blanqui, unlike many socialists of his day, held that workers could effect social change through revolution and voluntary action. He believed a truly progressive society could only be achieved if everyone joined in on the struggle to overthrow bourgeois power and create a new way of life.
Le Goff’s book provides a critical and sympathetic account of Blanqui, while also providing an intriguing glimpse into an alternative egalitarian vision for political change that existed alongside Marxism in nineteenth-century France. It is an expertly-written, accessible, and captivating work.
Politics
Politics is the process of making decisions that impact people’s lives, such as voting, government policies, and economic concerns. Gaining an understanding of how politics functions allow us to make informed choices that benefit everyone involved.
Blanqui was a revolutionary who believed that political reform was essential for creating an improved world. He also held that only revolution could eliminate class oppression and bring about social justice.
He wrote several influential books on politics, such as Eternity by the Stars and Critique sociale. Additionally, he published Instruction pour une prise d’armes, an influential manual on guerrilla warfare.
Le Goff recently published his book in which he asserts that Blanqui is an influential figure in the evolution of socialist thought. He emphasizes how Blanqui’s work provides valuable insights into three areas of political discussion.
Temporality (focusing on individual choice rather than historical cycles, progress, or destiny), agency (commitment to collective action), and strategy (concerning how best to “channel” people’s power).
