Is there Sufficient Reason for Revolution in the Nineteenth Century?
Excerpt from Proudhon’s “Generell idea of the Revolution in the 19. Century”. by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon 1809-1865, French Philosopher, Economist A revolution is an act of sovereign justice, in the order of moral facts, springing out of the necessity of things, and in consequence carrying with it its own justification; and which it is a crime for the statesman to oppose it. That is the proposition which we have established in our first study. Now the question is to discover whether the idea which stands out as the formula of the revolution is not chimerical; whether its object is real; whether a fancy or popular exaggeration is not mistaken for a serious and just protest. The second proposition therefore which we have to examine is the following: Is there today sufficient reason in society for revolution? For if this reason does not exist, if we are fighting for an imaginary cause, if the people are complaining because, as they say, they are too well off, the duty of the magistrate woul
