Revolution: Refining Its Defining

Abstract

Definitions of revolution have strongly influenced theorization about it. We argue here that revolution is a highly variable phenomenon. Rigid definitions of revolution do not allow for theorizing which explains this variability. Revolution can occur to various degrees along various dimensions. These include the political, international, economic, cultural, ethnic, and gender dimensions. Revolutions do not necessarily affect all these dimensions equally. Revolutions that have led to great change along some of these dimensions have also led to little or no change along others. We further argue that an understanding of revolution requires an understanding of what maintains social order.

Publisher

Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers

Publication Date

12-1-2001

Publication Title

International Journal of Group Tensions

Department

Sociology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1012724902591

Keywords

Revolution, Theories of revolution, Social order

Language

English

Format

text

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