To my utter despair I have discovered, and discover every day anew, that there is in the masses no revolutionary idea or hope or passion.

The quote "To my utter despair I have discovered, and discover every day anew, that there is in the masses no revolutionary idea or hope or passion." by Mikhail Bakunin expresses his disillusionment with the masses and their perceived lack of revolutionary spirit. Bakunin, a prominent anarchist and political theorist, is known for his advocacy of radical societal change. In this quote, he reflects his frustration that, despite his hopes for widespread social change, he finds no hope, passion, or vision for a better future in the general population, which he views as essential for achieving revolution.

Bakunin's disillusionment stems from the belief that revolutionary movements require more than just the discontent of the people—they need a deep, widespread ideology and passion to drive real change. The masses, in his view, are either too apathetic or too mired in self-interest to be the agents of transformative social change. His frustration is compounded by his repeated discovery of this lack of collective will, which he feels undermines any real hope for societal improvement.

This perspective ties into Bakunin's broader critique of both capitalism and state power. He believed that true freedom and justice could only be achieved through the overthrow of oppressive systems. However, he argued that the masses often lacked the necessary awareness or passion to initiate such change, leaving him in a state of despair about the possibility of revolution. Bakunin’s view suggests that the spark for revolution must come from a collective, radical awakening among the people, something he felt was sorely lacking in his time.

The origin of this quote reflects Bakunin's evolving thoughts on revolution and society throughout the 19th century. As one of the leading figures in anarchism, his work critiqued both state authority and the failings of organized movements. This quote, often seen as an expression of his disillusionment, captures his concern that true societal transformation requires a deep, shared commitment to revolutionary ideas and values, which, according to Bakunin, were missing from the masses of his era.