Admiration Quote by Murray Bookchin
![“I will not call myself a pacifist for the very simple reason that if something like a [Francisco] Franco should arise in Spain again, or, for that matter, in America, and tried to take away whatever dwindling civil liberties and human rights we retain, I would resist them with a club if I had to…” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/murray-bookchin-2587_admiration_i-will-not-call-myself-a-pacifist-for-th_1047865.jpg)
“I will not call myself a pacifist for the very simple reason that if something like a [Francisco] Franco should arise in Spain again, or, for that matter, in America, and tried to take away whatever dwindling civil liberties and human rights we retain, I would resist them with a club if I had to. But my admiration for pacifism as an outlook and a sensibility is enormous. I just find that it gets me into contradictions, as it often gets many pacifists into contradictory positions and strategies.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Post-Scarcity Anarchism, 1971
He opposes pacifism when faced with authoritarian threats, believing force may be necessary to protect liberty.
In simple terms: Pacifism may fail against tyranny.
Key Takeaway
Be prepared to act against oppression.
Themes
politics
philosophy
civil liberties
resistance
Mood
defiant
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- defending democracy
- civil rights activism
- authoritarian rise
- self‑defense decisions
Key Concepts
anarchism
ethical dilemmas
political violence
Questions to Reflect On
- When is violence justified to protect freedom?
- Can non‑violent resistance ever succeed against totalitarianism?
A Different Perspective
Pacifism can be morally consistent without violence.
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