Choosing arms. New revolutionary left and political violence in Chile (1965 - 1970)

Abstract

This paper discusses the issue of political violence focusing on the Movement of Revolutionary Left (MIR) from 1965 to 1970. Political literature, public speeches given by MIR leaders, and MIR’s violent acts will be our basic empirical data. The analysis takes into account the nexus between political practices and representations. This paper aims to demonstrate that there is no linear interconnection between the political use of violence and the political context. Both operate simultaneously as essential factors to the choice of political violence. In fact, political, ideological and intellectual context provides MIR with arguments legitimizing the use of violence before militants and society. Violence as part of MIR’s identity contributes to an efficient regulation of internal tensions by justifying the ruling out of disobedient militants. It also allows reinforcing the party’s public image and utterly modifies the rules of public debate through the banalisation of violence as political means.