Le Sabotage

by Emile Pouget

"Le Sabotage" by Émile Pouget is a political treatise written in the early 20th century. The book explores the concept and practice of sabotage as a legitimate form of workers' resistance against capitalist exploitation. Pouget discusses historical contexts and examples where sabotage emerged not just as a tactic, but as a necessary response to oppressive labor conditions, emphasizing its role in the broader struggle for workers' rights. The opening of the work introduces the term "sabotage," tracing its evolution from a colloquial term implying poor-quality work to a strategic method of protest. Pouget outlines historical instances where workers instinctively engaged in sabotage as a form of rebellion against capitalists. He discusses the necessity for organized sabotage in labor struggles and provides examples, such as the tactic of the "Go Canny," where workers deliberately perform their tasks with minimal effort to protest against unfair treatment. The text sets the stage for a deeper exploration of sabotage as a vital component of labor activism and a legitimate response to systemic exploitation.