POLC99
LEC 3 – Jan. 24
Revolutionary Struggles: Cuba and Nicaragua
1)Revolution defined
2)Insurrection and victory
3)Institutionalization and consolidation
4)Research Proposals
1)REVOLUTION DEFINED
A social revolution: the successful overthrow of a ruling elite by revolutionaries
who seek the profound transformation of a society`s political, economic and social
structures.
Coup dètat: power is transferred either within the ruling elite or from one ruling
elite to another but the state, economic and social structures remain the same (e.g.
military intervention)
Rebellion: spontaneous uprisings aimed at changing the leaders, policies or
institutions of the state, but rarely affect social structures and values (ex. Anti-
neoliberal protests)
Political Revolution: seeks to transform the state but not economic or social
structures (e.g. Wars of independence)
First Generation revolutions ``Great Revolutions``
Characterized by the tensions surrounding the transition from feudalism to
capitalism and high class struggle (French 1789, Russia 1917, Chinese 1971 and
Mexican 1910).
Theoretical Models of Revolution
www.notesolution.com