September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics1 Revolution and Political Violence Frank H. Brooks

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics2 Revolution: What, When, Why, How What What –defining revolution –distinguishing it from other kinds of sociopolitical change When When –historical necessity? –possible only at certain stages of development? Why Why –Causes of revolution –Necessary v. sufficient –Successful v. attempted How How –Determinants of success –Also consider who (role of elites, masses)

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics3 Etymology of “Revolution” Scientific uses carried over into politics Scientific uses carried over into politics –Heavenly bodies “revolve” –Cyclical view of history Dramatic break or change Dramatic break or change –Linked to progressive view of history –C. 17 th and 18 th centuries in Europe Modern usage Modern usage –Break in continuity; sudden, decisive change –Not just used in politics

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics4 Revolution in a Taxonomy of Political Change Distinguishing revolution from other kinds of radical political change Distinguishing revolution from other kinds of radical political change Rebellion v. revolution Rebellion v. revolution Taxonomy of “internal wars” Taxonomy of “internal wars” –Jacquerie – mass peasant uprising –Millenarian – social movement infused with utopia –Conspiratorial coup d’etat – no mass participation –Militarized mass insurrection – guerrilla war mobilizes mass consciousness –Jacobin-Communist revolution – sweeping social change led by vanguard

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics5 Defining Revolution I Focus on what is changed Focus on what is changed Change in government or personnel Change in government or personnel –Can be accomplished by election or coup Change in governmental form (regime) Change in governmental form (regime) –E.g. shift from monarchy to republic Change in society Change in society –Can include economy, but also culture, religion, family –The “social question” Classic “social revolution” includes all three Classic “social revolution” includes all three

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics6 Defining Revolution II Focus on peculiar characteristics of revolutionary process (Eisenstadt) Focus on peculiar characteristics of revolutionary process (Eisenstadt) Radical transformation of the rules of the political game Radical transformation of the rules of the political game Novel visions of the political and social order Novel visions of the political and social order –Tend to be utopian and universalistic –Political programs revolve around new “cosmologies” –Also involves novel overall cultural agendas

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics7 Which “revolutions” count? Classifying events usually discussed as revolutions Classifying events usually discussed as revolutions England (1640s) - yes England (1640s) - yes America in 1770s-1780s – no America in 1770s-1780s – no France in 1780s-1790s – yes France in 1780s-1790s – yes Mexico ( ) – yes Mexico ( ) – yes China ( ) – yes China ( ) – yes Russia (1917) – February no, October yes Russia (1917) – February no, October yes Cuba (1959) - yes Cuba (1959) - yes Iran (1979) – yes Iran (1979) – yes Eastern Europe (1989) – debatable Eastern Europe (1989) – debatable

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics8 Are Revolutions Necessarily Violent? Many definitions refer to violent overthrow of established regime Many definitions refer to violent overthrow of established regime Violence not peculiar to revolution Violence not peculiar to revolution “legitimate” v. “illegitimate” violence “legitimate” v. “illegitimate” violence –Government’s use of violence legitimate –Revolutionaries’ isn’t (yet) Can a revolution be accomplished “nonviolently”? Can a revolution be accomplished “nonviolently”? –Poland and Solidarity? –Philippines and “people power”? –Revolutions? Or, simply overthrowing tyrants?

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics9 When do Revolutions Happen? Theoretical assumptions Theoretical assumptions –Linked to progressive view of history –Especially, modernization theory Most likely during early stages of modernization Most likely during early stages of modernization –Linked to “crisis” of legitimacy –Breakdown of old regime is necessary condition –Not sufficient – non-revolutionary resolutions of crisis possible, as are repressive responses Marxist theory Marxist theory –Political shift corresponding to change in forces and relations of production –French Revolution premature as socialist revolution Rephrase question: when are revolutions possible? Rephrase question: when are revolutions possible? –Consider earlier revolutions as models, inspiration –Can societies be “past” the revolutionary stage? –Does this mean an “end of history”?

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics10 Why do Revolutions Occur? Focus on causal theories Focus on causal theories –why do revolutions happen when and where they do? –Why do they succeed? Social Psychology Social Psychology Marxism Marxism Functionalism Functionalism Comparative History Comparative History Skocpol’s States and Social Revolutions Skocpol’s States and Social Revolutions

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics11 Social-Psychological Theories of Revolution Focus on attitudes leading to revolutionary action Focus on attitudes leading to revolutionary action –Mostly economic –Psychological preconditions Relative deprivation Relative deprivation –Gurr, Why Men Rebel –Furet, “On Revolutions…” J-curve theory (Davies) J-curve theory (Davies) Critique Critique

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics12 Marx’s Theory of Revolution Focus on historical necessity rooted in economics Focus on historical necessity rooted in economics –Not primarily psychological or political Contradictions between forces and mode of production Contradictions between forces and mode of production Self-conscious action by revolutionary class Self-conscious action by revolutionary class –Made possible by economic contradictions –Specifics varied from country to country Critique Critique

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics13 Functionalist Theories of Revolution Focus on consistency between political systems and sociopolitical values Focus on consistency between political systems and sociopolitical values Revolution is breakdown of stability Revolution is breakdown of stability –System becomes “dissynchronized” –Violence only likely when there’s a crisis of legitimacy Critique Critique

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics14 Comparative History Explains Revolution Seeks patterns (especially political) in major revolutions Seeks patterns (especially political) in major revolutions –E.g. Crane Brinton, The Anatomy of Revolution –Charles Tilly, From Mobilization to Revolution Resources for collective action, not motivation for violence Resources for collective action, not motivation for violence Emergence of “multiple sovereignty” Emergence of “multiple sovereignty” Why revolutions succeed Why revolutions succeed

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015September 19, 2015Comparative Politics15 Skocpol: States and Social Revolutions Structural focus, rather than voluntarist Structural focus, rather than voluntarist –“revolutions are not made, they come” –Structural weakness of state International and world-historical context International and world-historical context –International crises –Revolutions occur in states in disadvantaged international position Potential autonomy of the state Potential autonomy of the state –Not merely a tool or arena –“Janus-faced” – internal and external orientation Critique – does this apply beyond the “classic” revolutions? Critique – does this apply beyond the “classic” revolutions?