- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
What sets apart revolutions that work from those that don't?
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:51 pm
Watching the Sons of Liberty last week, got me thinking. (Yeah, I know they took some, er, liberties with the facts).
But thing that got me thinking was that most revolutions must be incredible long shots when they start. After all, the entrenched side has a decided advantage in power ( thus the phrase "being in power".)
So, is there a common thread for those that succeed - off the top of my head I'm thinking of things like the American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Civil War, and I'm sure there are several others.
Is it the ability to acquire weapons before being crushed? The intelligence and sophistication of the rebels? An ideological argument that is persuasive to a large number of people? The incompetence or preoccupation of the powers that be? A combination of these? Some other factors?
But thing that got me thinking was that most revolutions must be incredible long shots when they start. After all, the entrenched side has a decided advantage in power ( thus the phrase "being in power".)
So, is there a common thread for those that succeed - off the top of my head I'm thinking of things like the American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Civil War, and I'm sure there are several others.
Is it the ability to acquire weapons before being crushed? The intelligence and sophistication of the rebels? An ideological argument that is persuasive to a large number of people? The incompetence or preoccupation of the powers that be? A combination of these? Some other factors?
15
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:53 pm to Methuselah
I think the geographic nature of the American revolution played a large part.
Obviously organization, leadership, recruitment, and supply chain plays a very large role.
Obviously organization, leadership, recruitment, and supply chain plays a very large role.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:53 pm to Methuselah
Looking for ideas to successfully revolt against the gov't?
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:53 pm to Methuselah
A "do whatever it takes at whatever cost" attitude.
This reminds me of a scene in the Godafther 2 when Michael sees a Cuban revolutionary kill a Batista soldier and himself with a grenade. He commented that Fidel will win because they will do whatever it takes.
This reminds me of a scene in the Godafther 2 when Michael sees a Cuban revolutionary kill a Batista soldier and himself with a grenade. He commented that Fidel will win because they will do whatever it takes.
This post was edited on 2/3/15 at 4:56 pm
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:55 pm to Methuselah
Great concept for a thread. Only problem is you've started it right as I'm about to go home. I'll try to get back on later to take part in what I hope is a good and lively discussion.
Just real quick, I'd say it takes two things usually
1. A determined core of "rebels" or "revolutionaries", which ever you choose to call them.
2. A weak/rotting governing body that is ripe to fall.
Just real quick, I'd say it takes two things usually
1. A determined core of "rebels" or "revolutionaries", which ever you choose to call them.
2. A weak/rotting governing body that is ripe to fall.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:57 pm to Methuselah
Read Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America and you'll find your answer.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 4:59 pm to Methuselah
i think the biggest mistake a lot of people make is thinking the revolution will be televised.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:05 pm to Methuselah
I think the distance from England and the will to have a free country made the difference. If you had one guy trying to be king, our little American experience may not have worked.
I watched that show too, and wonder how our government has become the cluster frick it is now.
I watched that show too, and wonder how our government has become the cluster frick it is now.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:09 pm to Methuselah
Cool hats
This post was edited on 2/3/15 at 5:12 pm
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:17 pm to REB BEER
quote:
I watched that show too, and wonder how our government has become the cluster frick it is now.
It started when the government started involving itself in social issues.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:26 pm to Methuselah
I think it's numerous factors.
As mentioned previously, a very determined group is a must.
You need luck, and a government in power that is either weak or underestimates the rebellion.
As mentioned previously, a very determined group is a must.
You need luck, and a government in power that is either weak or underestimates the rebellion.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:30 pm to tigerman03
quote:
You need luck, and a government in power that is either weak or underestimates the rebellion.
And another government to back the rebels.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:42 pm to LSU8654722
Widespread support among the population allows the extended timetable necessary for rebel leaders to play the rope-a-dope. Washington and Ho Chi Minh and countless others could afford to lose battle after battle because as long as they had their armies, as long as there were more battles to be fought, they were winning their wars. For the occupier, its not enough to win battles, they have to enforce a peace.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 5:42 pm to Methuselah
Revolutions that succeeded - small rate of that.
Revolutions that were ultimately successful - way smaller still.
Russian - long term no.
French - same.
Us (US) - probably ultimately a fail though we've had an amazing run.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
No revolution lasts forever. And they are needed in the same way forests need wildfires.
Life is a burning house.
Revolutions that were ultimately successful - way smaller still.
Russian - long term no.
French - same.
Us (US) - probably ultimately a fail though we've had an amazing run.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
No revolution lasts forever. And they are needed in the same way forests need wildfires.
Life is a burning house.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:01 pm to Road Tiger
quote:
Looking for ideas to successfully revolt against the gov't?
Hah. No. I'm generally pro government. Heck, I've been called a statist.
It's just that questions like this often catch my interest for some unknown reason. The study of human behavior and history is fascinating to me.
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:22 pm to Methuselah
A real hardship and a persuasive ideal. Also, great orators like robespierre and Danton certainly made spreading the ideals of the French Revolution easier
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:22 pm to Methuselah
A real hardship and a persuasive ideal. Also, great orators like robespierre and Danton certainly made spreading the ideals of the French Revolution easier
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:22 pm to Methuselah
A real hardship and a persuasive ideal. Also, great orators like robespierre and Danton certainly made spreading the ideals of the French Revolution easier
Posted on 2/3/15 at 6:45 pm to Methuselah
Throughout history, revolutions that were successful had the money, political backing and leadership of the aristocracy.
Grassroots revolutions are not as successful historically.
There are exceptions, of course, but if you ask me to name one factor that makes a revolution more likely to succeed, that would be it.
The American Revolution was one revolution that enjoyed that particular advantage.
Grassroots revolutions are not as successful historically.
There are exceptions, of course, but if you ask me to name one factor that makes a revolution more likely to succeed, that would be it.
The American Revolution was one revolution that enjoyed that particular advantage.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News