Meaning: The quote "Periodically, the workers do revolt against bourgeois society, not by a hundred, five hundred, or a thousand, but by the millions" is attributed to Ernest Mandel, a Marxist economist and theoretician. This quote encapsulates the idea that the working class, or proletariat, has the potential to rise up against the capitalist system in massive numbers. It reflects the Marxist perspective that the contradictions and inequalities inherent in bourgeois society can lead to widespread social upheaval and revolution.

Ernest Mandel was a prominent figure in the post-World War II Marxist movement and made significant contributions to Marxist economic theory and political analysis. He was a proponent of the idea that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction and that the working class has the potential to challenge and ultimately overthrow the capitalist system.

The quote speaks to the historical and ongoing struggle for social and economic justice, reflecting the idea that the working class has the power to mobilize in vast numbers to challenge the status quo. It also highlights the potential for mass movements and revolutions to emerge from the collective action of the proletariat.

From a Marxist perspective, the "bourgeois society" refers to the capitalist system in which the means of production are privately owned and the ruling class, or bourgeoisie, exploits the labor of the working class to generate profits. The quote suggests that the working class, when mobilized in large numbers, has the capacity to challenge the power structures of bourgeois society and potentially bring about significant social and political change.

Throughout history, there have been numerous instances of mass mobilization and revolt by the working class against the inequalities and injustices of capitalist society. From the Paris Commune of 1871 to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and beyond, the quote's assertion that workers can revolt "by the millions" has been borne out in significant revolutionary moments.

The quote also speaks to the potential for collective action and solidarity among the working class. It suggests that the power of the proletariat lies in its ability to unite and organize on a massive scale to challenge the entrenched power of the bourgeoisie.

In contemporary society, the quote remains relevant in the context of ongoing struggles for workers' rights, social justice, and economic equality. It reflects the continued potential for mass movements and revolutions to emerge from the collective action of the working class in response to exploitation, inequality, and oppression.

In conclusion, the quote by Ernest Mandel encapsulates the Marxist perspective on the potential for the working class to revolt against bourgeois society in massive numbers. It speaks to the historical and ongoing struggles for social and economic justice, highlighting the power of the proletariat to mobilize and challenge the structures of capitalist society. The quote underscores the potential for mass movements and revolutions to emerge from the collective action and solidarity of the working class, and it remains relevant in contemporary discussions of social and economic inequality.