Jack A. Goldstone, "Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 2023)

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Sep 27, 2024

Jack A. Goldstone, a noted scholar and author of 'Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction', delves into the history and evolution of revolutions. He discusses how the age structure of societies impacts revolutionary dynamics, with younger populations often more prone to violence. Goldstone draws parallels between revolutions and earthquakes, emphasizing their unpredictability. He also explores the significance of recent non-violent movements, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from revolution to stable democracy in contexts like the Arab Spring.

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INSIGHT

Evolving Definition of Revolution

Revolutions are a broad category encompassing various forms of regime change.
They have evolved from cyclical regime changes in ancient Greece to transformative societal shifts.

INSIGHT

Broadening the Scope of Revolution

The French Revolution's prominence narrowed the definition of revolution, overlooking other key events like the Haitian Revolution.
Revolutions can be both secular and religious, as seen in the Iranian Revolution.

INSIGHT

Modern Revolutions

Modern revolutions are defined by mass mobilization for regime change, encompassing both successful and unsuccessful attempts.
Violence isn't a defining characteristic, as seen in nonviolent revolutions like the collapse of communist regimes.

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In their pursuit of social justice, revolutionaries have taken on the assembled might of monarchies, empires, and dictatorships. They have often, though not always, sparked cataclysmic violence, and have at times won miraculous victories, though at other times suffered devastating defeat.

Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford UP, 2023) illuminates the revolutionaries, their strategies, their successes and failures, and the ways in which revolutions continue to dominate world events and the popular imagination. Starting with the city-states of ancient Greece and Rome, Jack Goldstone traces the development of revolutions through the Renaissance and Reformation, the Enlightenment and liberal constitutional revolutions such as in America, and their opposite--the communist revolutions of the 20th century. He shows how revolutions overturned dictators in Nicaragua and Iran and brought the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and examines the new wave of non-violent "color" revolutions--the Philippines' Yellow Revolution, Ukraine's Orange Revolution--and the Arab Uprisings of 2011-12 that rocked the Middle East.

In this new edition, Goldstone also sheds light on the major theories of revolution, exploring the causes of revolutionary waves, the role of revolutionary leaders, the strategies and processes of revolutionary change, and the intersection between revolutions and shifting patterns of global power. Further, he explores the role social media and nonviolence play in modern revolutions. Finally, he examines the reasons for diverse revolutionary outcomes, from democracy to civil war and authoritarian rule, and the likely future of revolution in years to come.

Jack A. Goldstone is the Hazel Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Center for the Study of Social Change, Institutions and Policy at George Mason University. He has previously held positions at the University of California, Northwestern University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter.

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