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Revolutions!

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  • 10-05-2011 3:16am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 411 ✭✭


    Are revolutions created by organised groups, political subcultures (eg the working class) or the whole population?

    What are everyones thoughts?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 411 ✭✭JajaD


    No thoughts? :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12 PenelopeT


    Hahahaha nice try! Good luck on Friday :P


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭krd


    There are various theories and explanations. Simplistic theories put the cause at feet of charismatic individuals or even new ideas. Because this fits nice and neatly into easy to consume historical narratives.

    The general Marxist theory is that revolutions are brought about by a form of social evolution - and there is no reason to believe they can not also be a form of social degeneration. The Nazis are very good example of a degenerate revolution.

    Economic and technical changes. Changes in the material world. Metallurgy, gunpowder, the printing press, in the case of North Africa; the internet.

    Revolutions can be caused by famines. Or changes in economic power. Like Europe under the Ancien Regieme. The new middle-class gained economic power, through changes in technology. Then asserted this power and replaced their old rulers.

    Another way of putting it: you do not chose the revolution, the revolution chooses you.

    Political leaders tend to find out where their people are going, so they can get in front of them and lead.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,176 ✭✭✭nyarlothothep


    Look up towards a fourth generation of revolutionary theory by Jack A. Goldstone. He discusses how revolutions are thought to occur.


  • Registered Users Posts: 230 ✭✭cdsb46


    Look up towards a fourth generation of revolutionary theory by Jack A. Goldstone. He discusses how revolutions are thought to occur.

    haha a bit late with the answers the exam was on friday :P


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 411 ✭✭JajaD


    cdsb46 wrote: »
    haha a bit late with the answers the exam was on friday :P

    Hee hee.. i tried ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    'For long periods the High seem to be securely in power, but sooner or later there always comes a moment when they lose either their belief in themselves or their capacity to govern efficiently, or both. They are then overthrown by the Middle, who enlist the Low on their side by pretending to them that they are fighting for liberty and justice. As soon as they have reached their objective, the Middle thrust the Low back into their old position of servitude, and themselves become the High'

    -George Orwell.


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