Party to Movement

Several forms of violence are now epidemic in this country: bombings, which are occurring at the rate of hundreds a month; the shooting of policemen; wrecking and arson. A certain percentage of this violence is routine crime. However, most of the actions are motivated by political ideas or passions. Those who carry out the actions are not (according to their self-interpretation of what they are doing) seeking a merely personal end, but furthering a “cause.” In many cases the political aims, negative and positive, are thought of as merging in the general goal of “the Revolution.”

Now that the bombings are getting bigger and more deadly, and the assassination of policemen more frequent, the question is being raised whether there is an “organized conspiracy” at work on a nationwide scale.

JB

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James Burnham

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Several forms of violence are now epidemic in this country: bombings, which are occurring at the rate of hundreds a month; the shooting of policemen; wrecking and arson. A certain percentage of this violence is routine crime. However, most of the actions are motivated by political ideas or passions. Those who carry out the actions are not (according to their self-interpretation of what they are doing) seeking a merely personal end, but furthering a “cause.” In many cases the political aims, negative and positive, are thought of as merging in the general goal of “the Revolution.”

Now that the bombings are getting bigger and more deadly, and the assassination of policemen more frequent, the question is being raised whether there is an “organized conspiracy” at work on a nationwide scale.