Are revolutions possible in the modern world?

[Dis]

I've seen some references by some posters about countries such as Iraq and Vietnam. Some have claimed if things were actually bad in those countries the populace would revolt.

But is that possible? I don't think it is. I've been trying to come up with some modern revolutions and have been having trouble coming up with examples. Cuba for one. But that was 40 years ago. African nations still have revolutions and coups, but often the warlords have just as much firepower as the goverment.

In most countries in the world, the militias and warlords do not have nearly the amount of firepower than the goverment. Even in Afghanistan, they couldn't get the job done until the U.S. got involved with massive airpower. And yet there is still not complete control of the country.

Are revolutions possible in nations other than some African ones? The U.S. is another example. Second ammendment or not, revolution is not possible in the U.S.

[Geronimo]

No. this is why i don't buy into the line of bull**** that every government represents its people either by direct or implied consent. implied consent my arse! The people just can't get a revolt going.

[oedo]

the whole eastern block was revolted. I witnessed the fall of the Berlin wall 14 years ago. one thing I learned from this event: it is hard to believe in revolutions before they really happen.
concerning Cuba, I guess the people there are just waiting for Castro´s death which is expected in near future. why going the risk of losing life when the unavoidable isn´t that far anymore?

[axi]

In Yugoslavia, a couple of years ago, Milosevic was brought down by a government crisis which was the result of popular demonstrations. The demonstrators sacked the presidential palace.

In Argentina last year, 3 consecutive goverments were forced to resign by the people, after widespread rioting. Meanwhile, typical symptoms of dual power started to appear, such as factories taken over and run by the workers and local popular assemblies demanding a new constitution.

Of course the two cases differ in the outcome: in Yugoslavia the regime has changed, while the Argentines now have to put up with practically the same kind of government. This is due to the international factor: in Yugoslavia the West was for the regime change, while in Argentina, merely the prospect of another Chavez or Lula or Castro, was horrifying for them.

Other modern revolutions: Iran 1979, Nicaragua 1979, Romania 1989

[chequita guevara]

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88706

[chequita guevara]

Revolutions only happen when the government loses legitimacy. That can happen for any number of reasons, and can only rarely be manufactured. The main thing a revolutionary group has to do is to be ready to take advantage of a situation like that, because if nothing posits itself as an alternate pole of legitmacy, the government will quickly regain control.

Simply put, revolutions don't win, governments lose.

[Sava]

in America, we have legal revolutions every time a new party takes office... technically speaking...

the only way I see a violent revolution occuring is if some authoritarian element disrupts the democratic process... or get's re-elected in 2004...

[Odin]

Only the rightist revolts work nowdays, the leftist ones are crushed by the US (Does Nicaragua ring a bell).

[Dis]

well that depends on who is president of the U.S.

They should have tried again under Clinton, or did it under Jimmy Carter.

G. Bush is pretty unpredictable, but I think even now a communist revolution would be allowed to take place in Nicaragua.

[Sava]

odin: bah... lefty, righty, most are usually authoritarian regimes.... but I agree that the US does knock out the Stalinist style regimes while supporting the Pinochet's of the world.

[Sava]

G. Bush is pretty unpredictable

nah... given any situation, he'll always do what's best for Halliburton

[Zkribbler]

Has anyone heard how the attempted revolution by the communists in Nepal is going? I haven't been keeping up with the news from there.

[Sava]

who gives a sh1t about nepal?

[Dis]

sherpas?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Has anyone heard how the attempted revolution by the communists in Nepal is going?

The last time I checked the Maoists were still there commiting war crimes.