Revolutions inherently hinge on the work of intellectuals, but that does not mean that intellectual work is always hinged on the revolutionary path. Regardless of whether this type of “ideological masturbation” is welcomed or not, intellectuals play a unique role in that they have the power to directly influence action. Whereas in the case of Gramsci and some of the other authors we studied, intellectuals are vital in acting as the link between the people and governmental power—having one foot in the working-class realm and the other in the political realm—Fanon and others see intellectual involvement as detrimental to furthering the progression of the movement.
I think it would be blasphemous to claim that a movement could survive—let alone thrive—without a base layer of intellectual work that bolsters it. Without a specific, clear set of values laid out, there is too much possibility for interpretation on the part of the masses. In other words, the intellectual work acts a bit like training wheels, keeping those who are involved in the revolution from falling off the bike and ensuring that they are on the right path towards the ultimate goal. Without these training wheels, people too often would stray—into other’s lanes and off the road altogether—due to a lack of guidance.
For this reason, intellectual leadership is not only important, but present in every revolution we have studied. It must be in order for something to even be able to attach the “revolution” name to it. In some cases, these leaders have been very apparent, and in others, rather under-the-radar. Baader, for example, although not depicted as the most scholarly gifted individual, actually lays out a successful intellectual groundwork through his own actions that help steer the decisions of his fellow RAF members. By consistently acting recklessly, living without fear, and being willing to die, Baader constructs a non-tangible set of values that his counterparts follow. Baader, although one of the most critical of Ulrike’s academic work, ironically inhabits the very role of the intellectual in his group.
*Correction from the last comment (my apologies)
Big Mick,
I agree with your claim that the intellectual is key to an uprising, at least a successful one. Furthermore, I’d say I agree with some of what you said about Baader fulfilling the role of the intellectual and thus the role of the intellectual does not need to be one that “parachutes down” and saves the day, but rather can manifest itself depending on the circumstances of the conflict. However, in my opinion Baader is not an intellectual, yes he creates a “set of values” but they are not coherent and they were often steeped in rage and emotion leading the RAF down a path of nihilistic actions they wouldn’t recover from. I think a better example of an unexpected intellectual would be the school teachers mentioned in MKV’s reading.
Big Mick,
I agree with your claim that the intellectual is key to a uprising, at least a successful one. Furthermore, I’d say I agree with some of what you said about Baader fulfilling the role of the intellectual and thus the role of the intellectual does not need to be one that “parachutes down” and saves the day, but rather can manifest itself depending on the circumstances of the conflict. However, in my opinion Baader is not an intellectual, yes he creates a “set of values” but they are not coherent and they are often his actions were steeped in rage and emotion leading the RAF down a path they wouldn’t recover from. I think a better example of this would be the school teachers mentioned in MKV’s reading.