[D66] Links Klassiek

[René Oudeweg]

The concept you're referring to is most prominently discussed by **Leon 
Trotsky** in his writings on **fascism, class struggle, and the state**, 
particularly in:

### **1. *"Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It"* (1930-1940s)**
- **Key Passage:** Trotsky analyzes how the bourgeoisie, when threatened 
by proletarian revolution, abandons democracy and arms itself to 
suppress workers' movements. He writes:
   > *"The bourgeoisie arms itself. It seeks support in fascist gangs. 
It prepares for civil war."*
- **Context:** He explains that as capitalism enters crisis, the ruling 
class turns to **violent repression (police, militias, fascist 
paramilitaries)** to maintain power, rather than relying on 
parliamentary rule.

### **2. *"The Struggle Against Fascism in Germany"* (1930-1933)**
- **Key Idea:** Trotsky warns that the German bourgeoisie would rather 
ally with Hitler’s fascists than risk a socialist revolution. He 
emphasizes:
   > *"The bourgeoisie prefers to surrender power to the fascists than 
to yield it to the proletariat."*
- **On Arming Itself:** He critiques the German Social Democrats (SPD) 
for disarming the working class while the bourgeoisie and fascists built 
armed forces (e.g., the *Sturmabteilung*).

### **3. *"The Revolution Betrayed"* (1936)**
- **Broader Analysis:** While focused on Stalinism, Trotsky reiterates 
that the capitalist state is fundamentally **"a body of armed men"** 
(echoing Engels) and that the bourgeoisie will always resort to violence 
to protect property.

---

### **Key Trotskyist Themes:**
1. **The Bourgeoisie’s "Plan B":** When reformist concessions fail, the 
ruling class drops democracy and arms reactionary forces (fascists, 
militias, etc.).
2. **Workers’ Self-Defense:** Trotsky insists the proletariat must 
**organize its own militias** (e.g., Red Guards) to counter bourgeois 
violence.
3. **Critique of Pacifism:** He lambasts social democrats for refusing 
to arm workers, calling it **"suicidal disarmament"** in the face of 
fascism.

---

### **Where to Find These Texts:**
- *[Marxists.org Archive](https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/)* 
(free access).
- *"Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It"* (Pathfinder Press).

Would you like excerpts or deeper analysis on a specific section?

Op 26-03-2025 om 01:02 schreef René Oudeweg:
> trotski