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The friends of peace in bourgeois circles believe that world peace and disarmament can be realised within the frame-work of the present social order, whereas we, who base ourselves on the materialistic conception of history and on scientific socialism, are convinced that militarism can only be abolished from the world with the destruction of the capitalist class state.

Rosa Luxemburg#5

SocialismCapitalismMilitarismPeaceReformWar

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Luxemburg claims that genuine disarmament and peace are impossible without overthrowing the capitalist state, rejecting bourgeois reformism.
In plain terms
She says real peace needs the end of capitalism, not just agreements within the current system.
What can you take from it?
Systemic change is required to achieve true peace and disarmament.

Where it applies

  • anti-war movements
  • policy analysis
  • socialist organizing

Putting it to work

  • advocating for systemic change
  • critiquing reformism
  • peace activism

Questions to consider

  • Can peace exist under capitalism?
  • What is required for true disarmament?

Another view

Pragmatic agreements within existing systems can still reduce immediate violence.

More from Rosa Luxemburg

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