First Study: Reaction Causes Revolution
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Writer: PJProudhon
Writings by Proudhon
General Idea of the Revolution in the Nineteenth Century
1851
Translation by John Beverly Robinson
In every revolutionary history three things are to be observed:
The preceding state of affairs, which the revolution aims at overthrowing, and which becomes counter-revolution through its desire to maintain its existence.
Toast to the Revolution
Le Peuple
17th October 1848
Translation by Shawn P. Wilbur
Citizens,
When our friends of the democratic republic, apprehensive of our ideas and our inclinations, cry out against the descriptive term socialist which we add to that of democrat, of what do they reproach us? — They reproach us for not being revolutionaries.
Election Manifesto of Le Peuple
Le Peuple
8th-15th November 1848
Translator: Paul Sharkey
The central electoral committee, comprising delegates from the fourteen Seine arrondissements and designed to make preparation for the election of the president of the Republic, has just concluded its operations.
Letter to Workers on Elections
Translated by Paul Sharkey
Passy, March 8, 1864
To workers,
Supplemental Material (online only)
This webpage contains material by or about Proudhon which did not, for whatever reason, get included into "Property is Theft!" or its introduction or was translated or produced after it was completed.
By Proudhon
Letter to M.Blanqui on Property
What is Property? Second Memoir
Translator: Benjamin R. Tucker
Paris, April 1, 1841
Monsieur,
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Appendix: The Theory of Property
1865
Translator: Shawn P. Wilbur
“If I ever find myself a proprietor, may God and men, the poor especially, forgive me for it!”
On Terminology
In terms of the language he used, Proudhon was by no means consistent. Thus we have the strange sight of the first self-proclaimed anarchist often using “anarchy” in the sense of chaos. Then there is the use of the terms property and the state, both of which Proudhon used to describe aspects of the current system which he opposed and the desired future he hoped for.