Terrorists bow to the spontaneity of the passionate indignation of intellectuals, who lack the ability or opportunity to connect the revolutionary struggle and the working-class movement into an integral whole. It is difficult indeed for those who have lost their belief, or who have never believed, that this is possible, to find some outlet for their indignation and revolutionary energy other than terror.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lenin argues that intellectuals, lacking connection to workers, turn to terror out of frustration.
- In plain terms
- Intellectuals who feel detached from the working class may resort to terror.
- What can you take from it?
- Bridging gaps between intellectuals and workers can reduce extremist actions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do some intellectuals feel alienated from workers?
- What mechanisms can integrate diverse revolutionary actors?
Another view
The claim simplifies complex motivations behind terrorism.
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