Class Struggle and Social Banditry

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the public support for the accused, Luigi Mangione, highlight complex dynamics in class struggle and social consciousness in the United States. These events reflect the emergence of social bandits, a concept articulated by Eric Hobsbawm, wherein individuals perceived as outlaws by the state gain popular support as protectors of the marginalized. This form of protest signifies a society grappling with deep-rooted issues without yet recognizing the means for effective political resistance. The case underscores a failure of political organization that fosters a paradox where heroes of the disenfranchised arise in a seemingly advanced capitalist society.