Shullenberger's Essay on 1970s French Left-Wing Violence Gains New Urgency

An essay by Geoff Shullenberger, which delves into debates surrounding left-wing political violence in France during the early 1970s, has seen a significant surge in relevance since its completion. Shullenberger, managing editor at Compact magazine, recently announced on social media that the work, which he began researching over two years ago, has become "way more relevant" in the current climate. The essay examines a pivotal period when the French radical left grappled with the justifications and implications of revolutionary violence.

The work specifically highlights the intellectual exchanges between philosopher Michel Foucault and Maoist militants, particularly regarding the concept of "popular justice" and its potential for extrajudicial action. Shullenberger's research, published in The Point Magazine under the title "Popular Justice," details Foucault's controversial stance, which at times seemed to endorse spontaneous collective action over formal legal structures. This historical discussion is framed against the backdrop of rising left-wing terrorism in Europe during that era.

A key aspect of the essay is its connection to René Girard’s theories on violence and the sacred, suggesting an implicit commentary on the unraveling of the post-war Western political order. Shullenberger notes that the debates from the early 1970s, including the Maoists' concern about "bourgeois justice" being a façade, resonate with contemporary progressive protests and calls for systemic change. The essay also touches upon the "religious turn" taken by some intellectuals, including Benny Lévy, as a response to the era's political violence.

Shullenberger's analysis underscores how the historical arguments for revolutionary violence, often drawing from figures like Frantz Fanon, have seen a dramatic resurgence in recent times. The essay suggests that understanding these past intellectual battles can provide crucial insights into current sociopolitical dynamics. The author invites interested parties to join a discussion on the essay's findings and its heightened contemporary significance.