Page:The Spirit of Russia by T G Masaryk, volume 2.pdf/569

Rh The uncritical character of the Russian revolutionary movement is exhibited in the strong sense of personal injury (if I may use the term) by which the Russian revolutionaries are animated. We may admit that in Russia it is far from easy to avoid feeling a positive hatred towards the reactionaries. For example, Burcey's personal campaign against the tsar is not difficult to understand. But there must be a sustained endeavour to conduct the struggle without personal animus, to avoid regarding individuals as responsible for collective sins. Tsarism is no more than a part of theocratic aristocracy; the tsar is but one among many.

The inchoateness of Russian conditions explains the emergence of terrorism as a typical feature of the Russian revolutionary movement. Terrorism is per se individualist, a method by which individuals attack individuals.

The Marxists are to be commended for their rejection of terrorism and for their attempts to pave the way for the mass revolution. They do well to strive to promote the political culture and education of the masses, for a definitive revolution can unquestionably be effected only when the bulk of the population shall have attained a high level of political development. But if culture and education are competent to secure the necessary reforms, a sanguinary revolution will be superfluous.

Marxism openly proclaims its revolutionary goal, and yet in most countries it has a recognised, or at least a tolerated, status side by side with the other political parties; this signifies a great political victory for democracy. To all intents and purposes, absolutism and monarchy have already been routed; the conceptual basis of the theocracy has been overthrown. To-day monarchy must seek utilitarian grounds for its support, for no reflective persons now believe in divine right. Constitutionalism and parliamentarism are the outcome of mutual concessions; they are half-way houses which will ultimately be replaced by the indispensable newer forms of popular administration.

What applies to Europe applies also to Russia. In Russia, however, the caesaropapist theocracy is more powerful than theocracy in Europe, and Russian conditions gave rise to the terrorist guerilla revolution. But long before the publication of Ropšin's books, the Russian terrorists had recognised and admitted the danger of terrorist tactics.