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How to Win a Revolution … and Enjoy It

by Norman G. Kurland
1972

Editor’s Note – June 2012

“How to Win a Revolution” was written in 1972; much of the original text has been left unchanged in this edition to preserve its historical flavor. As the reader will see, there have been many advances over these initial successes in expanded capital ownership.

Some of the terminology in this document, however, has been updated and revised to strengthen its semantic underpinnings. For example, in recognizing the polarizing impact and negative connotations that the word “capitalism” has held for many people since its inception, the term “universal capitalism” has been replaced by “expanded capital ownership.”

Along these lines, the “Second Income Plan” referred to in this document is now the “Capital Homestead Act;” and today, CESJ (the Center for Economic and Social Justice) has assumed the role that ISES (the Institute for the Study of Economic Systems) formerly had served for disseminating these ideas. What is referred to in this paper as “The Third Movement for Expanded Capital Ownership”, or “The Third Movement,” is now called “The Just Third Way,” to distinguish this socio-economic paradigm from that of “capitalism” and “socialism/communism.”

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this paper was written prior to the author’s exposure to the profound writings of Rev. William Ferree on Social Justice and the Act of Social Justice (see Ferree’s “Introduction to Social Justice”). Ferree, a scholar in the social encyclicals of Pius XI, points out that no individual acting alone can effectively change the system to correct defective or inadequate institutions which have become barriers to human development.

The Act of Social Justice goes beyond isolated and individualistic efforts to right the wrongs of society. Indeed, it involves a moral imperative for people to work together in an organized way for the common good of every member of society.

It is in the spirit of organizing for the common good that “How to Win a Revolution” was written. We believe that even in today’s 21st Century world – it offers some useful ideas and a spur to action for those committed to building economic and social justice for every person.

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