Spiral of Violence Flashcards
Incomplete
Context and reason for the Spiral of Violence?
Written in the wake of the Vietnam War and post World War II, meant to criticism the reasons for poverty, and the violence that comes from it
What is it trying to say?
Poverty is a form of violence
- Poverty leads to a revolt from those in poverty
- Leading to repression from the wealthy fighting back against the revolt
Continues as a ‘Spiral of Violence’
What is the section ‘looking at the earth’ about?
Poverty and injustices are prevalent in all countries, reducing them to sub-human conditions. It kills, and leads to physical, moral, and psychological deformity. Exists between developed and undeveloped countries, as much as it does between the capitalists and the socialists (ex. USA, USSR). Both trying to influence people to their side.
What is the section ‘violence attracts violence’ about?
Egoism drives privileged groups to allow people to be in sub-human conditions. This violence attracts violence, and revolt, especially from those who are oppressed and the youth. People who are rebelling will be painted as agitators and subversive elements. The developed world is sure, and proud, so much so that they don’t realize the consequences that poverty can have.
What is the section ‘and then comes repression’ about?
Authorities try to resist violence, in order to maintain the status quo, even if it means turning to force (violence). They use the ‘logic’ of violence in order to justify uses of moral and physical torture. People in high power will do anything possible to keep it, turning to dictatorship and atrocities to keep it. There is no country that isn’t in danger of falling into violence
What is the section ‘a real threat’ about?
The rich always become richer, while the poor become poorer; with one such instance being the struggle between the USA and Vietcong during the Vietnam War. Until there is someone who has the courage to completely rewrite the trade policy and the norm, then the wealth gap will only increase. The poor are getting restless, and will turn to protest, and violence. Leading to a spiral of violence stemming from poverty, to rebellion, to repression and all over again.
Demagogy meaning?
Convincing people through emotions rather than logic (used by those in power, especially dictators)
Pluralism meaning?
Allowing of multiple different things in the same space (ex. religion, ethnicities…)
Fatalism meaning?
Extreme pessimism
What is Populorum Progressio?
The Pope’s letters
What was Biafra?
Section of Nigeria that attempted to separate, the government didn’t accept so they closed them in which created a humanitarian crisis
Rector meaning?
Person in charge of a church
Despotic meaning?
Acting like a despot, the worst type of dictator
- Often violent and abusive authority, using intimidation
- Ex. Mussolini, Hitler
Subversive elements meaning?
Those who work against authority
Agitator meaning?
To start things, a trouble maker
What are the two choices and examples for each that Camara gives in chapter 2?
Armed violence (Vietnam war) and nonviolence (Gandhi and satyagraha)
What is the third point that Camara makes?
You can attack followers without attacking their leader, forcing their followers to distrust their leader. Pushes the movement back. Young are more willing to suffer consequences
What is the importance of the young in this chapter?
The young have influence over their powerful parents. People will eventually realize that violence doesn’t stop violence
Pulpit meaning?
Place where you give a speech/opportunity to get your voice heard
Tacit alliance meaning?
Through mutual understanding, doesn’t need to be said, unspoken partnership
Pseudo solutions meaning?
Something isn’t real, but pretends to be real
What is the National Liberation Front?
Communist and terrorist organization (Vietnam)
Evangelical meaning?
To spread the ‘Good News’, convert someone
Satyagraha meaning?
Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence (non violent resistance)
Intransigent meaning?
Refuse to cooperate/compromise
Ideological pretext meaning?
Reason (fake) for doing something, having to do with ideology
Ideology: System of thought
Pretext: Reason for doing something, but isn’t the real reason
Strata meaning?
Layer
What are militant laymen?
Person who isn’t a bishop (etc) that are extremist
Militant: Extremist/rigid
Laymen: People who aren’t religious officals
‘Recourse to leaflets and manifestos’ meaning?
Turning to using pieces of paper/flyers to spread information
Recourse: to turn to something
Leaflets: Small piece of paper with information
Manifestos: Statements of belief
Prefiguration meaning?
Show what will happen before it happens
Efficacy meaning?
Effectiveness
Discretionary powers meaning?
Powers that are allowed to use however/whenever they want
Discretionary: Use as you see fit
‘Periodic purges in dictatorship on the left and right’ meaning?
On both sides of the political spectrum, people in power will kill each other if they are deemed a threat
Left- progression, for change/new ideas
Right- pro authority, conservative and tradition
Periodic: every once in a while
Purge: people seen as a threat are killed
Reformism meaning?
Seeking reform
‘… economic powers through the intermediary of the foundations that subsidise them’ meaning?
Protests at universities being put down (violently sometimes) because of orders directly/indirectly from high ups that fund them
Intermediary: in between (middle man)
Subsidize: support financially
Political prestige meaning?
Political importance, respectability and looking important
