Re: Alcohol as a revolutionary weapon?

[Brian James <hillbily@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Alcohol has long been regarded as a social leveller, and the act of
>communal drinking as a means of communication between those of different
>ranks and status in society. If, as we propose above, the drinking-place
>embodies the symbolic social functions of alcohol, we would therefore
>expect to find, in most cultures, that drinking-places tend to perform a
>socially integrative, equalising function. We would expect drinking-places
>to be, if not strictly egalitarian, at least environments in which the
>prevailing social order may be challenged.

>Full article at: http://www.sirc.org/publik/drinking6.html

This is a very interesting topic, though I see some obvious flaws with
it. First of all the situation described in the article sounds more like
alcohol and pub culture as a means of reconciling the classes and
creating acceptance of the status quo. The working class does indeed
meet in bars, but political talk usually doesn't get beyond drunk talk.
Also there's the destructive role that alcohol plays among the working
class, as described so vividly in the novels of Emile Zola for example.

On the other hand, what role has alcohol played throughout history at
specific points within a revolutionary struggle? I know anarchists like
to use the slogan "booze up and riot." And it seems that whenever
anarchist youth in Montreal go on a rampage, smashing corporate windows
and setting cop cars ablaze, alcohol definitely plays a role.

But alcohol is apolitical. It can be used to embolden any kind of angry
mob. What do the history profs have to say on this?

Brian James