Is violence ever defensible in politics.

I think it can be as long as two provisions are met:

1) There is no viable alternative strategy.
2) The recipients are themselves violent.

I just don't think pacifism can work unless there is a peaceful democratic route to change.

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Bleep

I'm more for peaceful protests, like BLM. They get targeted for violence, yet get blamed for it. It doesn't make sense.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

I've just read something on Chile in the 70s. They had a Democratic socialist leader who was against violence but was implementing reforms which threatened the wealthy. He was overthrown in a very violent coup and a dictatorship was installed.

The left was blamed for problems caused by its enemies sabotage and the coup was given tacit support by the West.

I think politics, like life is not really fair. I think it's a difficult balancing act to compete with power and still keep your principles.

Bleep

@Burnley123 I'm sure you're right, but to retain my sanity, I have to believe that justice ultimately prevails.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

But who decides what justice is? People have different values and different interests. Politics is the process of contesting those interests.

Humanity has progressed over time but it's been very uneven. Most good things to happen have been fought for by pressure from below.

Bleep

@Burnley123 You're right. It's a utopian idea of a true fairness used to support a society's general consensus on morality and the laws that arise out of said morality. Completely subjective and differing dependent on perspective. Justice is merely a word that exemplifies our deepest decent feelings that the truth in all things becomes so evident as to dictate our judgement in all matters. I'm hoping there's more decency among us than evil.