On the one hand, we have the mass; on the other, its…
“On the one hand, we have the mass; on the other, its historic goal, located outside of existing society. On one hand we have the day-to-day struggle; on the other, the socialist revolution… It follows that this movement can best advance by tacking betwixt and between the two dangers… One is the loss of its mass character, the other the abandonment of its goal. One is the danger of sinking back to the condition of a sect; the other, the danger of becoming a movement of bourgeois social reform.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A movement must balance mass support with its revolutionary aim, avoiding both sectarianism and reformism.
In simple terms: Keep the people’s struggle and the goal together.
Key Takeaway
Stay true to core goals while engaging the masses.
Themes
politics
revolution
mass movement
Mood
analytical
strategic
Type
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- labor organizing
- political campaigns
- social movements
- grassroots activism
Key Concepts
dialectics
strategy
class struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a movement stay radical yet inclusive?
- What safeguards prevent drift toward reformism?
A Different Perspective
Balancing can be hard; compromises may dilute purpose.