Class struggle Quote by Steven Pinker
““I think that communism was a major force for violence for more than 100 years, because it was built into its ideology—that progress comes through class struggle, often violent. It led to the widespread belief that the only way to achieve justice was to hurry this dialectical process along, and allow the oppressed working classes to carry out their struggle against their bourgeois oppressors””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
Communist ideology linked progress to violent class struggle, encouraging accelerated revolutionary action.
In simple terms: Communism ties progress to violent struggle.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess ideological claims.
Themes
politics
ideology
violence
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- educational curricula
- social movements
- peacebuilding
Key Concepts
class struggle
dialectical materialism
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does ideology shape perceptions of violence?
- What peaceful alternatives exist for social change?
A Different Perspective
Ideological narratives can oversimplify complex issues.
