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A review by sg94
How Nonviolence Protects the State by Peter Gelderloos
medium-paced
4.75
"Even if they were, who cares if the middle and upper classes are alienated by violence? They already had their violent revolution and we're living in it right now. Further, the whole notion that the middle and upper classes are alienated by violence is completely false... they support violence all the time, whether it is strikebreaking, police brutality, prisons, war, sanctions or capital punishment. What they really oppose is violence directed at dislodging them and their privileges."
If you're on the fence between pacifism and a violent revolution, this is a good book, which makes good arguments, and will make you pick a side. If you're one of the "civil rights were won through peaceful protests" people, this book will (or at least should) make you reconsider that. If you're firmly on the "the revolution can't happen without violence" side, this book is going to at the very least give you ways to back up and articulate your beliefs. It's very solidly and clearly written, the quotes are well chosen and referenced, all in all a pretty good read.
If you're on the fence between pacifism and a violent revolution, this is a good book, which makes good arguments, and will make you pick a side. If you're one of the "civil rights were won through peaceful protests" people, this book will (or at least should) make you reconsider that. If you're firmly on the "the revolution can't happen without violence" side, this book is going to at the very least give you ways to back up and articulate your beliefs. It's very solidly and clearly written, the quotes are well chosen and referenced, all in all a pretty good read.