POLI 227 Chapter 8: Revolutionary Change
18 Apr 2012
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Document Summary
Modern revolutionary movements have been largely a third world phenomenon, fought primarily by the peasantry. Simply a form of governmental change through violence (broad) Involve a fundamental transfer of political and economic powers, rather than a mere change in political leaders. Revolutionary governments are frequently more broadly participatory and egalitarian than the regimes they have toppled. Inexorable historical forces: mao was the most influential practitioner of revolutionary warfare in the 20th century, many adhere to marx"s theory. J curve: as a country"s economy grows for a period of time, he suggests people"s expectations continue to rise correspondingly. Causes of revolution: a summary: revolutions are never inevitable, many factors lead into them. If a revolutionary movement is to gain power, there must be wide scale alienation from the government. The top revolutionary leadership comes from middle or upper class origins. The rural poor turn away leaders who do not understand their problems.
