Judgment Quote by Murray Bookchin
“I'm not sitting in judgment on whether or not libertarians can participate in a political process whose very nature they oppose.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Liberation and Ecology, 1975
One can critique a political system while still engaging in its processes, despite ideological opposition.
In simple terms: Participate even if you disagree.
Key Takeaway
Engage to influence change.
Themes
politics
activism
ideology
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- public debates
Key Concepts
Anarchism
participatory democracy
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you remain true to your beliefs while participating?
- What risks arise from involvement?
A Different Perspective
Compromise may dilute principles.
![“[The] term 'libertarian' itself, to be sure, raises a problem, notably, the specious identification of an anti-authoritarian ideology with a straggling movement for 'pure capitalism' and 'free trade.' This movement never created the word: it appropriated it from the anarchist movement of the…” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d1e/murray-bookchin-2587_free-trade_the-term-libertarian-itself-to-be-sure-r_144681.jpg)
![“[W]ithout changing the most molecular relationships in society — notably, those between men and women, adults and children, whites and other ethnic groups, heterosexuals and gays (the list, in fact, is considerable) — society will be riddled by domination even in a socialistic ‘classless’ and…” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5e4/murray-bookchin-2587_children_w-ithout-changing-the-most-molecular-rel_189100.jpg)
![“The most important thing [anarchists] can do is educate themselves, develop a propaganda machinery in the form of books and periodicals, a literature, engage in discussion groups that are open to a community, to discuss and develop their ideas and to develop networks.” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d5f/murray-bookchin-2587_anarchist_the-most-important-thing-anarchists-can_190565.jpg)
