While the exhibition on the RAF is now open for some days already, I have finished reading “Der Baader Meinhof Komplex” by Stefan Aust. As I knew only little about the militant left groups of the seventies, I found the book quite stirring. It is written like a good crime novel, yet it covers a relevant and real chapter of Germany’s recent history. The book seems to do a good job describing what it was like back then (only 30 years ago) as a political activist turning to terrorism by employing force and violence.
I share the general critique that was articulated by those groups - yet their methods have proven wrong. In my view they were actually proven wrong for three reasons. First, violent actions do always carry the risk of injuring or killing innocent people - this needs no further explaination. Second, the method by which goals are followed are probably defining how those goals are implemented. If I use military style commando during a transition, how am I gonna get rid of the military hierarchy? Third and last, the state is most of the time stronger in terms of violence and oppression. State apparati are doing a good job all over the world oppressing their people and others by violent means. No need to put oil into this fire. So why taking violent methods? Life is good. Mine and yours.
State and capital - in my eyes the prime reasons for injustice, oppression, exploitation, and war - have to be beaten on other grounds. There are dimensions they just won’t get. It is participation, solidarity, and love.
