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Seven Steps to Revolution »
Posted by: Radiofreeeuropa 1 year, 11 months ago"Those who make peaceful evolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable." -John F. Kennedy sociological research suggests that America may be far more ready for far more change than anyone believes is possible at this moment. In fact,we've already lined up all the preconditions that have historically led to violent revolution.
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Radiofreeeuropa
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Comments: 299
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Radiofreeeuropa
Feb. 23, 2008, 2:39 a.m.FTA- It turns out that, historically, liberal nations make very poor grounds for revolution -- but deeply conservative ones very reliably create the conditions that eventually make violent overthrow necessary. And our own Republicans, it turns out, have done a hell of a job. ...Thanks to 28 years of conservative misrule, we are now at the point where "manifest reality breaks away from anticipated reality;" and the breach is creating political turbulence. The average American has seen his or her standard of living contract by fits and starts since about 1972.
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cowboygrandpa
Feb. 23, 2008, 3:32 a.m.Rfe:
I've been for a peaceful revolution since Nixons disgraceful disclosures. Vote them out and keep them out.
It's time for a change for a more liberal thought process at least to the moderate level.
Change is definitely needed. We are becoming a third rate nation under the republican rule.
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Radiofreeeuropa
Feb. 23, 2008, 4:20 a.m.More FTA- In all the historical examples Davies and Brinton cite, the stage for revolution was set when the upper classes broke faith with society's other groups, and began to openly prey on them in ways that threatened their very future. Not surprisingly, the other groups soon united, took up arms, and rebelled.
And here we are again: Conservative policies have opened the wealth gap to Depression levels; put workers at the total mercy of their employers; and deprived the working and middle classes of access to education, home ownership, health care, capital, legal redress, and their expectations of a better future for their kids. You can only get away with blaming this on gays and Mexicans for so long before people get wise to the game. And as the primaries are making clear: Americans are getting wise.
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Radiofreeeuropa
Feb. 23, 2008, 4:34 a.m.I see it like this, Americans, at the time of the revolutionary war were a divided nation as well. Half the country were the conservative Tory, who, like all of conservatism's proponents, stand against change. They sided with the King. The revolution was conducted by the other half of the country. Are not half the country today disgusted and outraged by the ruling elite?
If serious change is not obvious to the American people in this next few years I believe there is enough steam in the kettle to boil.
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walden3
Feb. 23, 2008, 8:26 a.m.Interesting. I like the author's premise that revolution can arise due to a disconnect between expectations and results. It lays the groundwork for a sort of a social contract that the governed have with the governors and if the contract is breached and the governed's expectations are damaged the results may be rapid change to correct the imbalance.
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gamahuche
Feb. 23, 2008, 8:36 a.m.FTA
There's something implacable, earnest, and righteously angry in the air. And it raises all kinds of questions for burned-out Boomers and jaded Gen Xers who've been ground down to the stump by the mostly losing battles of the past 30 years. Can it be -- at long last -- that Americans have, simply, had enough? Are we, finally, stepping out to take back our government -- and with it, control of our own future? Is this simply a shifting political season -- the kind we get every 20 to 30 years -- or is there something deeper going on here? Do we dare to raise our hopes that this time, we're going to finally win a few? Just how ready is this country for big, serious, forward-looking change?
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gamahuche
Feb. 23, 2008, 8:56 a.m.YES!
The change is coming..
Revolution is coming to the USA - Leonard Cohen sang it a long time ago already!
The only thing that has not so far been acknowledged is that this will NOT be a bloodless revolution. We will not just emerge from one day to the next from the dark tunnel into the shining light.
The powers that presently rule are NOT just going to hand over the keys and say "Didn't you do well! Have a nice day! Enjoy!"
Why WOULD they?
But nor will they be able to stop it happening.
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SonOfTheMask
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:20 a.m.If you don't like the way things are going, step up to the plate and be a leader for change...within the democratic process.
Suggesting a bloody revolution is drivel. If the Far Left tries an armed insurrection to try and bring about some socialist paradise, you won't be met with just the police and armed forces...you'll be met by people like me who have the right to bear arms and who believe in a democratic republic with a capitalist economic system.
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canadianrancher57
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:33 a.m.In an earlier story this week on Cuba I made a statement that I believed that I thought that any Political system whether democratic, communist or what ever could survive and prosper if those who are in charge managed two things properly, those two things are people and resources. Rights and freedom seem to be key words in our society but the more important issue that holds any system together is equallity and fairness, this is what at present time are the greatest threat to your and other democracies.
When I asked my grandfather to explain the differences between the conservatives, liberals and socialists when I was young he said that there was nothing wrong with conservative ideas, but he said that he prefered the liberal stance for it was consevative ideas with a conscience and as for the socialist idea he said it was liberalism minus common sense.
I will agree with the seven issues regarding revolution but with democracy we stand the chance of change without bloodshed.
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truthiness
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:53 a.m.I expect to see a peaceful revolution in America in my lifetime. Our society is well designed for it..elections... Amendments... Constitutional Convention...
I sincerely doubt that elections will provide the answer, as the bureaucracy which supports our problems is far too entrenched to be changed by a politician here or there. Article 5 provides for a Constitutional Convention. This would allow us to reform our government significantly without killing anyone. I is definitely necessary as we have been functioning under the same document with only minor changes for over two centuries. Article 5 states that any amendments passed in such a convention would be part of the current constitution, so we wouldn't be remaking the nation, but we could pass a bill of amendments to update the Constitution to modern issues.
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studentambassador
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:55 a.m.1. Soaring, then crashing-It's the economy, stupid. That's in place...
2. They Call it a Class War-The doctor is struggling to pay the bills, the lawyer is fighting to make ends meet...our middle class is vanishing to leave behind a content rich class and a desperate, embittered poor class. That's in place...
3. Deserted Intellectuals-Don't know about a modern-day Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton, but they're out there. That's in place...
4. Incompetent Government-Bush. That's in place...
5. Gutless Wonders in the Ruling Class-Hey guys, vote Republican! Over half of them haven't been indicted yet! That's in place...
6. Fiscal Irresponsibility-Gotta love the tax cuts and record-breaking deficit. That's in place...
7. Inept and Inconsistent Use of Force-Iraq. That's in place...
Interesting. It does seem we're on the edge of a revolution, but even so I still agree with SonOfTheMask and canadianrancher57. They are certainly in place, but I think our democracy can weather it out.
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rdy2rckComment has been removed: Hard Banned
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Klarissa
Feb. 23, 2008, 10:41 a.m.You all talk about changes - how about getting rid of the dept of Education.
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not2needy
Feb. 23, 2008, 1:05 p.m.FTA:
deeply conservative ones very reliably create the conditions that eventually make violent overthrow necessary,
Sound Familiar? Scary as hell.
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Centinel
Feb. 23, 2008, 1:57 p.m.I have actually copied and pasted this article into a word document, giving full credit to the author and publisher, and attached it to emails. I am considering sending it to my representatives at every level of government.
This article is by far the most cogent description of our current circumstances I have ever read. We need to get it circulated within the mainstream news!
I am also sending links to this article to newspapers.
Let's get it out there!
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TheRealizer
Feb. 23, 2008, 2:02 p.m.Reading through the comments, I wonder if some facts have been overlooked. -Control of the internet-If the internet goes down the transportation system, the electrical system, the natural gas system also goes down.
This results in no food in the store, no gas at the station, no heat for the house. The little bit of food in the house don't last long....Mass hunger.....
I think very few are equipped to weather the chaos that would result from civil disobedience.
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disraeli
Feb. 23, 2008, 2:07 p.m.If the revolution postulated by this article comes to pass, then Mr. Bush truly is a uniter not a divider. All hail the chief, the bringer of light and rain and all things good.
Seriously though, very good article Radio.
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ML2007Comment has been removed: Retracted by user
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HanymanComment has been removed: Retracted by user
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Tytan
Feb. 23, 2008, 4:44 p.m.Revolution is a real worry for our government. Bush has signed into law a provision that allows him to suspend the 2008 elections and remain in office for an unspecified amount of time if there is an emergency on American soil before his current term is up. He has also commissioned Haliburton/KBR to build 7 internment camps at different locations around America. Homeland Security forces were just kicked out of a city in Michigan by it's Mayor for secretly running drills for the round up and internment of U.S. citizens in the event of Martial Law. Barak Obama is pushing legislation through the senate that makes America liable to pay $875 Billion to the U.N.'s Nation Tax and also revokes the 2nd Amendment as part of the U.N.'s push to make all small arms ownership by private citizens illegal in all U.N.countries. Presidential hopeful Ron Paul is the only man willing to stop all this from happening but he is banned by the media so he can't be heard on main stream media by US citizens.
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Mdiar
Feb. 23, 2008, 4:56 p.m.I don't think it will be a violent revolution. The Constitution was a very far-sighted document in that it not only left in place a method to have a non-violent revolution through a constitutional convention but it also provided a method for a violent revolution through the second amendment, if the constitutional convention does not satisfy the people. Before we see the violent revolution we will see an attempt at a non-violent revolution. Obama is talking the talk... my question is, will he walk the walk? I'd like nothing more then to see Obama run against Ron Paul in a general election... at least that way, both might just bring change no matter who wins.
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schmirt
Feb. 23, 2008, 7:29 p.m.Lame.
I can get the same view if i read a religious article about all the signs pointing to the end times.
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schmirt
Feb. 23, 2008, 7:40 p.m.It seems many just look for discontent and choose to accept conspiracy.
Now we can witness the masses rally to the new messiah in Barak Obama. (Yawn)
The march of human folly goes on.
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Tcaros
Feb. 23, 2008, 8:29 p.m.Our democracy has been kidnapped by kids wearing the clothes of leaders. They are bullying our duly elected officials. This administration has chosen to ignore our laws. Meanwhile the few "supporters" who remain fail to even objectively look at the damage to human lives and costs to our reputation among other Nations. The actions of this administration have created a worse problem than existed for reasons of securing more Exectutive power.
The first step to restoring this country is to have an Attorney General who will act as one. A prosecutor to bring charges and follow throught with convictions against the Executive. They have gained by profit of war, and circumvented the very values that our soldiers are dying for. The condoning of torture and illegal domestic spying are an affront to every American.
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ydakran
Feb. 23, 2008, 8:32 p.m.I was born in a country that wenth through a "revolution" that destroyed many lives and caused permanent damage to the culture and society. Many americans tend to romanticise violent internal upheaval. I have learned that those who advocate and lead violent overthrow of governments are rarely, and only marginally or initially, interested in improving the lives of the "people" they pretend to represent. They are always ready and willing to sacrifice others in order to achieve their goals of attaining power. Please understand, therefore, that "revolutions" are good for only one thing: spilling blood.
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Radiofreeeuropa
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:03 p.m.So Thomas Jefferson who warned of eternal vigilance, as the tendency for government is to decline into tyranny, is a whiner. I think not.
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Ratskii
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:31 p.m.I don't see a violent revolution gaining traction in the U.S. anytime soon.
If, and it is a big if, since I don't think even the current administration is that stupid, GWB were to impose martial law to either stop the Nov election or to nullify its results; then we would see a mostly non-violent revolution in the form of a general strike. It would be pointless to force our people in uniform to have to chose between shooting their neighbors or being hung by their commanders. A general strike would bring down GWB and co much faster and more cleanly than an attempt at violent revolution.
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Ratskii
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:35 p.m.Incidently, re: French history, the quote "let them eat cake" means something different than what most people think it means. pastries weren't called cakes at that time. Cake referred to the leavings from the bakeries after they finished baking bread. What Marie was really saying was let them subsist on the charity of the neighborhood businesses, which was bad enough.
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Radiofreeeuropa
Feb. 23, 2008, 9:44 p.m.On what points in the article do you disagree with? Aren't the observations through history accurate? Aren't these same conditions witnessed today? ... Or like many, even in the revolutionary war, it's just easier to let tyranny reign, go with the path of least resistance? Side with the King unless the yanks actually pull it off? The conditions do exist today, I believe if the direction of the nation is not changed drastically and immediately we are headed for revolt. Not today, not tomorrow, but soon. I'm obviously not the only one who sees this. Why is Haliburton building those citizen detention centers across the country? For jay walkers? Why did Bush demand the right to declare martial law? Not because people are to fat to get up off their couches, that is what the consumerist overlords want and to some degree they've gotten it, but again I remind you, half of the colonial population couldn't be bothered with standing up either, those that did are honored, the rest forgotten.
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Tommy1944
Feb. 23, 2008, 11:12 p.m.Oy, what a load. Every change in society for the last 40 years has been instigated by LIBERALS using the supreme court to circumvent the legislative process, now he wants to blame conservatives?
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Klarissa
Feb. 23, 2008, 11:28 p.m.The bill defines the term "Millennium Development Goals" as the goals set out in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, General Assembly Resolution 55/2 (2000).
The U.N. says that "The commitment to provide 0.7% of gross national product (GNP) as official development assistance was first made 35 years ago in a General Assembly resolution, but it has been reaffirmed repeatedly over the years, including at the 2002 global Financing for Development conference in Monterrey, Mexico. However, in 2004, total aid from the industrialized countries totaled just $78.6 billion-or about 0.25% of their collective GNP."
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ETproductions
Feb. 23, 2008, 11:57 p.m.What an insightful analysis of the failures of conservatism run amok.
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brothermichaelComment has been removed: Retracted by user
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truthiness
Feb. 24, 2008, 12:37 a.m.the history of violent revolution is replete with the idealists being killed off, the nation being divided up, and the cruelest winning out.
be careful what you wish for.. you just might get it.
the war machine is one of the central problems in this nation. peace is the answer. you cannot defeat evil with evil. you cannot overcome wrongs with more wrongs. you cannot defeat criminals by being a criminal.
there is a path to legal, peaceful revolutionary change in our Constitution, embrace hope, embrace peace, stop searching for blood before you find your own spilled on the ground before you.
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svensun
Feb. 24, 2008, 1:48 a.m.Well, for her sake, I hope Sara Robinson didn't really quit her day job in Silicon Valley to become a 'strategic forecaster', because her analysis of current conditions in the US is so pitiably far from the mark, that I hope NONE of her potential 'strategic forecasting' clients see it!
Thankfully, she lives in Canada, so when she inevitably goes on unemployment I won't have to pay for it.
Quite sad, really.
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simonsez
Feb. 24, 2008, 1:51 p.m.Things have gotten really bad though, majohn. We can't smoke where ever we want any more, constant threats of dui arrests, kids got to ride in the back seat, they want to monitor my phone calls to make sure I'm not going to blow up Hollywood or Santa Monica; seat belts for God's sakes! No freedoms whatsoever left!!!
Then they expect me to pay more for gas even if it costs more to get it to me. Scumbags!
I'm so upset, I may cry.
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Truzseeker
Feb. 27, 2008, 11:36 p.m."If history is any indication, we may be on the road to violent revolution. We got here because of the conservatives' war against liberal government." ... hu ? WTF .. this appears to be propaganda BS. Wrongo ... its because past and current regimes along with Congress including the courts have exceeded foundational limitations that created them in the first place. There is NO left-right paradigm.
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Howtogo
March 19, 2008, 10:33 p.m.Violent revolution! Sounds like we are heading towards a socialistic/communistic government! The seven steps to an Orwellian state?
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GHOSTWHOWALKS
Feb. 23, 2008, 6:49 p.m.Speaking for yourself? Because if you aren't then you live in a fallacy.
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Centinel
Feb. 23, 2008, 7:48 p.m.Not everyone is as fat and lazy as you might think. The fat and lazy who can't fight could be the ones feeding the fighters and collecting ammo. Not to mention that they deserve their liberty just as much as the next person. Who would fight for them if not us?
I suspect you would be cowering in your basement hoping no one will notice you so you can ride it out. Remember the parable about the chaff and the wheat?
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crghss
Feb. 23, 2008, 8 p.m.These people just love to hear themselves rant. If it really came down to it. I would give most of these nutscapers about 8 hours before they were whining and crying for someone to help them.
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