Reflections on Violence

work by Sorel

Also known as: “Réflexions sur la violence”

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July 13, 2026

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Georges Sorel's Reflections on Violence (1908) is a significant work in revolutionary syndicalism. Sorel, a French Socialist, argued that violence plays a crucial, creative role in historical progress. He distinguished between "violence," which is the revolutionary force to overthrow the existing social order, and "force," the coercive power of the state.1

Sorel championed revolutionary syndicalism, a movement emphasizing the spontaneous class struggle and workers' control. He viewed the general strike not as an inevitable outcome but as a "myth"—a powerful idea that could inspire collective action to overthrow capitalism. Sorel's theories, though influential, were later perverted and utilized by figures like Benito Mussolini.12

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socialism
Syndicalism
…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence), in which he treated the general strike not as the inevitable result of social developments but as a “myth” that could lead to the overthrow of capitalism if only enough people could be inspired to act on it.
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…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence), in which he treated the general strike not as the inevitable result of social developments but as a “myth” that could lead to the overthrow of capitalism if only enough people could be inspired to act on it.
Read More

Georges Sorel
…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence), first appeared as a series of articles in Le Mouvement Socialiste early in 1906 and has been widely translated. Here Sorel developed his notions of myth (modeled on the syndicalist vision of the general strike) and of violence. Violence for Sorel was…
Read More
…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence), first appeared as a series of articles in Le Mouvement Socialiste early in 1906 and has been widely translated. Here Sorel developed his notions of myth (modeled on the syndicalist vision of the general strike) and of violence. Violence for Sorel was…
Read More

ideology
Ideology and terror
…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence). Sorel was usually regarded as being more a fascist than a socialist. He also used the word violence in his own special way; by violence Sorel meant passion, not the throwing of bombs and the burning of buildings.
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…Réflexions sur la violence (1908; Reflections on Violence). Sorel was usually regarded as being more a fascist than a socialist. He also used the word violence in his own special way; by violence Sorel meant passion, not the throwing of bombs and the burning of buildings.
Read More