CHAPTER VI THE THEORISTS OF REVOLUTIONARY SYNDICALISM

Two groups of writers on syndicalism, (_a_) workingmen (_b_) intellectuals--Their points of disagreement--Representative of intellectuals; Georges Sorel--His works--His conception of syndicalism as neo-Marxism--Fundamental idea of Marx; no Utopias--Task of socialists to teach workingmen--The importance of the idea of the general strike--The general strike a "social myth"--What is a "social myth?"--Importance of "social myths" in revolutionary movements--The general strike as a means of producing a complete rupture between working-class and bourgeoisie--Sorel's theory of progress; only technical progress continuous; succession of cultures not continuous--Necessity of combating democracy--Democracy--the régime of professional politicians who rule the people--Class struggle and violence; meaning of violence--General strike a great moral force--Syndicalist ideas founded on pessimistic basis--Pessimism as cause of great historical achievements--Ideas of Bergson--Criticism of Sorel; neo-Marxism not true to spirit of Marx--Lagardelle and his writings--Gustave Hervé and "La Guerre Sociale"--Influence of Sorel--Criticism of Prof. Sombart's views--Syndicalism a development independent of Sorel--Relation of syndicalism to other social theories 141