“Agitation” is a term regularly used in the context of organizing and socialist politics. But what does it actually mean?
I’ll keep it simple. Agitation means making someone angry.
Anger is often painted as irrational, a primitive reflex that should be suppressed in favor of a cool and objective analysis. But to be overcome by anger because of the cruel actions of the ruling class under capitalism is actually very rational. How else is one supposed to react to the barbarism that is unfolding every day in Gaza, or to ICE kidnapping immigrant activists off the street, or simply because your boss is an asshole who exploits and humiliates you day in and day out?
Feeling your temper flare up just at the mention of those topics? Consider yourself agitated.
Trying to assuage anger is not only a losing battle, it’s counterproductive. Anger can certainly lead to reckless behavior. Ever see someone get so mad they punch a wall? Anger is a deeply powerful emotion, and through organizing it can be channeled into effective struggle.
Socialists affirm righteous anger and direct it towards those who are actually responsible for its causes. The Right also affirms anger, but then through deceit they direct it away from the ruling class and towards a scapegoat, whether it’s immigrants, trans people, Black people, “woke”; any “other” will do. Liberals do this too, usually to cover their own ass, directing blame for their failures at the masses for being “dumb” or “lazy”. Some on the left adopt a similar persuasion.
As socialists, we aim our fire squarely on the boss, on the capitalist class, and on the politicians and institutions that uphold and defend the ruling order that is the cause of so much suffering. Our task is to uncover “the innermost secret” of our society, “the hidden basis of the entire social structure”, as Marx described it. That is, we must uncover the fact that our entire economic and political system depends on the exploitation of those of us who must “work for a living” by those we are forced to work for. We must make this conflict and its irreconcilable nature well known and understood.
This is not easy. The ruling class has erected a vast “superstructure” designed to veil this conflict. Socialists will find themselves constantly running up against the kind of “common sense” that is doctrinaire in our society, whether it’s “work hard and you’ll get ahead”, “poverty is a choice”, or “politics is about making compromises”. This is why it’s generally unwise to immediately dive headfirst into ranting and raving about the evils of capitalism, as right as you may be. More often than not you’ll just come off like a crank.
“Anger is often painted as irrational, a primitive reflex that should be suppressed in favor of a cool and objective analysis. But to be overcome by anger because of the cruel actions of the ruling class under capitalism is actually very rational.“
Agitation is the bridge. Most workers already know they’re being fucked over. Start there.
Many workers are taught to have low expectations. Many will blame themselves for their troubles. This is when you start asking questions like, “do you think things are going to change without action?” or simply “do you think it’s right that the boss treats you like shit?”
Part of agitation involves challenging others to overcome apathy and commit to action. You frame the choice. “Do you want to keep on doing nothing and accept that this is how things are going to be, or do you want to organize and fight for something better?” This is usually followed by a long silence. It’s uncomfortable, but don’t break it.
There’s agitation in the context of an organizing conversation at work, but there’s also “political agitation” of the kind that a socialist organization like DSA engages in. The same principles apply as if you were agitating around a workplace issue, except the target is not the boss but their political representatives.
Take for example recent Chicago DSA social media posts criticizing Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, whether over his plan to cut healthcare funding for immigrants or his veto of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. These posts don’t just relay information; they are meant to elicit anger, and if they’re effective they’ll do so from all sides. After all, if liberals don’t complain when you rightfully point out the way a Democratic Party leader is failing the working class, then are you really agitating?
Like with agitation at the workplace though, political agitation needs to be skillful to be effective. Hysteria is a turnoff. Be measured and direct. This is what is happening. These are the consequences. Ask: do you think this is right?
At its core, political agitation is the simple act of asking “whose side are you on?” Socialists declare ourselves on the side of the workers and we condemn whomever is on the side of the boss, be it Democrat, Republican, or even “progressive”. This will ruffle some feathers. But we should not concern ourselves with naysayers who try to justify acquiescence to our class enemies.
Most people don’t have deeply held or entirely coherent politics. But most people can smell bullshit from a mile away. This is why so many people view politics as a sham and a waste of time. If we want to have any chance at linking socialism with the working class, we can’t afford to get lumped in with the kind of two-faced hacks that dominate the political class. We must always take a stand, and we must always be agitating.
