1. WHAT IS A REVOLUTION? Why is revolution so glamorized? What are the defining characteristics of revolutions? How are they different than coups? Complete changes in: 1) leadership, 2) world- view, and 3) institutions It is a bottom-up phenomenon The American “War of Independence” vs. the French Revolution The American Founders ideas on stopping revolution with federalism, liberties, & a strong central government

2. WHAT IS A REVOLUTION? Why is revolution so glamorized? What are the defining characteristics of revolutions? How are they different than coups? Complete changes in: 1) leadership, 2) world- view, and 3) institutions It is a bottom-up phenomenon The American “War of Independence” vs. the French Revolution The American Founders ideas on stopping revolution with federalism, liberties, & a strong central government

3. WHEN DO REVOLUTIONS SUCCEED? WHAT DO ARE THEIR RESULTS? Organization matters: Lenin’s theory of vanguard parties Totalitarian ideologies Cult figures, propaganda, mass mobilization, and non-state-violence The empirical record of revolution: Ugly and not helpful to the masses; institutionalization almost always leads to purges, a dominant party, and authoritarianism