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Published on The Shadow of the Enlightenment (http://www2.evergreen.edu/shadow)

Dave Raileanu

I would say that both present a valid argument for both sides. Revolutionaries owe their most powerful ideas to those who created them in the years before, but the books themselves would fade to intellectual curiosity were it not for their eventual impact. It is necessary to respect both views; if they depend on each other, neither has a greater importance than the other. However, were it not for Thomas Paine, would we have taxation with representation? Of course we would, but we'd be talking about colours and centres while we did. And had it not been for Marx and Engels, would there be misguided youths across the country calling for the dismantling of the cruel, oppressive capitalist machine that only serves the rich, white slaveholders and their so-called economic motivations? Undoubtedly, but their language would be far less imaginative. The point I'm trying to make is that books and revolutions are inseparable, even today. Let's not try and figure out who came first. 

Michelle Klenn › [0]

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http://www2.evergreen.edu/shadow/shadow/dave-raileanu-0