Revolution: Unwanted Disorder or More?

By Dr. Eric Selbin
Professor of Political Science
Southwestern University

Encyclopedia Britannica

This definition brings to mind the American Revolution (1765–1783), the French Revolution (1789–1799), or the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), but what does “revolution” mean and how is it viewed in today’s world?

In the July 4, 2013, edition of The Huffington Post, Jennifer Bradley and Bruce Katz conclude in their article, “Today’s American Revolution,” that “In the absence of constructive action in Washington, cities and metropolitan areas have emerged as the can-do directors of the nation, taking powerful steps to grow jobs and remake their economies for the long haul.”(2)

The ancient Greeks viewed revolution as the undesirable result of societal breakdown; a strong value system, firmly adhered to, was thought to protect against it. During the Middle Ages, much attention was given to finding means of combating revolution and stifling societal change. With the advent of Renaissance humanism, there arose the belief that radical changes of government are sometimes necessary and good, and the idea of revolution took on more positive connotations. John Milton regarded it as a means of achieving freedom, Immanuel Kant believed it was a force for the advancement of mankind, and G.W.F. Hegel held it to be the fulfillment of human destiny. Hegel’s philosophy in turn influenced Karl Marx. (3)

In the most recent decade, there have been more than 50 “revolutions” of sorts. The revolutionary wave known as the “Arab Spring” alone included uprisings, revolts, protests, revolutions and civil wars in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Yemen, Algeria, Syria, Bahrain and Oman.

- See more at: http://southwestern.edu/su_blogs/suonline/2014/11/18/revolution-unwanted-disorder-or-more/?utm_source=111814_COM_Nov+DigX&utm_campaign=Nov+DigX&utm_medium=email#sthash.DKur95d3.dpuf