REVOLUTION: WHY THEN AND NOT NOW?
WHAT IS A REVOLUTION? “an extralegal seizure of political power, by the use or threat of force, for the purpose of bringing about structural change in the distribution of political, social, or economic power” not the same as routine barracks revolts or golpes de estado
WHY THEN (1950s-70s)? Authoritarian regimes Socioeconomic inequality Personalist, corrupt Military repression No real elections Socioeconomic inequality Communication and awareness Cityward migration, social mobilization Marxist ideology Call for revolution Soviet + Chinese support Example of Cuba (1959)
AND NOW…? (1980s-2000s) Political democracy Socioeconomic development Dissent through elections Opposition victories Emergence of “new left” Socioeconomic development Middle-class aspirations + conservative values Prosperity (of sorts) since 2004 Liberal ideology Rejection of Marxism “End of history” Example of Cuba (1990s-present)