Ch03 - Revolutionary processes, leaders, and outcomes Flashcards
What is the focus of many observers of revolutions?
Many observers focus on the origins of revolutions—what caused the popular uprisings and why the old regime fell.
What marks the beginning of a revolution?
A revolution begins when the government loses control over a portion of its population and territory, with groups demanding a change of government.
What typically happens at the start of a revolution?
Most beginnings lead to swift repression or years of futile activity. However, if the country is in an unstable equilibrium, small beginnings can lead to the loss of more territory and population to the opposition.
What happens after the fall of the old regime in a revolution?
The fall of the old regime merely begins the revolution, which is a long process involving struggles for power, the emergence of new leaders, and attempts to build new institutions.
What are the two main patterns of state breakdown in revolutions?
The two main patterns are central collapse and peripheral advance.
What is the first phase of revolution?
The first phase of a revolution is state breakdown, when the state loses control of society.
What happens in a revolution with central collapse?
In central collapse, the regime is weakened, often due to economic problems, declining legitimacy, and previous local protests. A demonstration in the capital city is followed by expanding protests, military inaction or defection, and mass demonstrations spreading to other cities and rural areas.
Give examples of revolutions with central collapse.
Give examples of revolutions with central collapse.
A: Examples include the French and Russian Revolutions, the European Revolutions of 1848, the Iranian Islamic Revolution, the East German and Romanian anticommunist Revolutions, and the Arab Revolutions of 2011 in Tunisia and Egypt.
What typically happens after the military refuses to act decisively in a central collapse revolution?
The military’s inaction signals to the ruler and elites that the regime is defenseless. Crowds take over the capital, the ruler may flee or be captured, and elites or military-backed crowds may form a provisional government.
How does the opposition grow in a revolution with peripheral advance?
The opposition grows as the regime becomes more unstable, the opposition gains supporters, and external powers may provide help. The opposition may develop into a conventional army or use nonviolent tactics to pressure the government.
What happens in a revolution with peripheral advance?
In peripheral advance, opposition groups establish a foothold in a remote area of the country. Over time, the opposition grows as it gains new supporters and the government weakens, leading to guerrilla warfare or nonviolent tactics.
What happens when the balance of power shifts in a peripheral advance revolution?
As the balance shifts in favor of the opposition, government forces suffer defections and lose morale. Eventually, the revolutionary forces take the capital, and a new regime is established.
What is a third and novel pattern of revolution that has emerged in recent years?
The third and novel pattern is the “negotiated revolution,” where authorities negotiate with the opposition rather than the ruler fleeing or being overthrown by civil war.
Give examples of revolutions with peripheral advance.
Examples include the American Revolution, the Chinese Communist Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, the Indian Independence Movement, the Nicaraguan Revolution, and the Arab Revolution of 2011 in Libya.
How does a negotiated revolution begin?
A negotiated revolution may start like a central collapse or peripheral advance revolution, with mass demonstrations or opposition gaining local bases, but the authorities choose negotiation over repression.
What happens in a negotiated revolution once the authorities recognize they cannot overcome the opposition?
The authorities seek to negotiate the entry of the opposition into a joint regime, which may involve new elections or joint councils with members of both the opposition and the old regime leadership.
Give examples of negotiated revolutions.
Examples include the South African anti-apartheid revolution, the Polish Solidarity revolution, and the Czechoslovak “velvet” revolution.
What allows the revolutionary party to dominate in a negotiated revolution?
The overwhelming popular support for the revolutionary party allows them to dominate the new institutions, win control of the government, and enact laws to reshape the political and economic order.
What happens after the fall of the old regime in a revolution?
The fall of the old regime is usually greeted with jubilation, followed by a “revolutionary honeymoon” period of optimism, solidarity, and enthusiasm for the future.
What is the “revolutionary honeymoon” period?
The “revolutionary honeymoon” is a period of a few weeks following the fall of the old regime, during which people enjoy newfound freedom, solidarity, and optimism.
What critical decisions need to be made by the revolutionary government?
Decisions include how leaders will be chosen, whether power will be centralized or decentralized, who controls the military, and what laws will govern the exercise of power.
What issues need to be settled after a revolution?
Issues include the new regime’s relations with other states, property redistribution, financing operations, treatment of old regime leaders, and how to address any economic, military, or financial crises.
How can these disagreements be exacerbated?
Disagreements are often worsened by crises threatening the new regime, such as counter-revolutionary efforts, regional or minority uprisings, inflation, economic collapse, or civil/international war.
What happens when diverse groups who made the revolution disagree?
Disagreements over critical issues create cleavages among groups, leading to postrevolutionary power struggles.
What divisions often occur among revolutionary leaders?
Revolutionary leaders often sharply divide over how to respond to crises, which can escalate tensions and deepen the struggles for power.
What often happens during the polarization phase of a revolution?
Moderate and radical factions frequently form, with moderates seeking limited changes and radicals advocating for more extreme measures.
Why might moderate revolutionary policies fail?
Moderate policies often fail during war, economic crises, or counterrevolution, leading to their leaders being discredited and support shifting to radicals.
How do radicals justify their actions during revolutions?
Radicals claim to be the “true voices” of the people and revolution, labeling moderates and opponents as reactionaries and traitors.
What are common changes promoted by radicals in revolutions?
Radicals often promote new symbols, ceremonies, titles (e.g., “citizen,” “comrade”), changes in administrative units, art, dress, and language.
How do radical factions often come to power?
Radical groups often displace moderates through coups or insurrections, seizing power and enforcing loyalty through purges or terror.
What is a common outcome for revolutionary leaders during radical phases?
Revolutionary leaders may turn on each other, with prominent figures like Danton, Trotsky, and Lin Biao being exiled or executed.
What challenges do radical revolutionary regimes face?
Radical regimes often face economic disorder, civil and international wars, and external fears of their revolutionary ideas spreading.
