Ologies with Alie Ward Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE) with Jack Goldstone
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Sep 24, 2025 Dr. Jack Goldstone, a scholar and professor specialized in revolutions, explores the anatomy of protests and social change. He discusses the evolution of revolutions, the impact of social media, and the significance of elite disaffection as a trigger for uprisings. Goldstone breaks down the dynamics of nonviolent versus violent revolutions and shares insights from the Arab Spring. He emphasizes the role of art and emotion in mobilization while tackling the challenges of misinformation in today's political landscape.
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Revolutions Unfold Over Time
- Revolutions are processes that can unfold over years and include uprisings, coups, and civil wars.
- Success requires sustained mass mobilization aimed at radically changing government institutions.
Elite Support Determines Regime Stability
- Government resilience depends on elite support, especially the military and administrative elites.
- Even a small protest can topple a regime if elite support collapses.
Tunisia: Military Refusal Changed Everything
- In Tunisia the army refused to fire on protesters and stayed in barracks, forcing Ben Ali to flee.
- That military hesitation turned local uprisings into a successful revolution.
