Is America going to have a Revolution?

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1916

I was fascinated by an article which, after analyzing sociological research on revolutions, came to the conclusion that America was primed for a revolution. Here's the article. It list 8 factors underlying all previous revolutions and looks at modern American society to come to the conclusion we are primed.

Here's a link to the aricle: Is America primed for a Revolution?
So, I'm starting this thread to try and track evidence that a problem is brewing that could lead to a revolution in America. Here are some posts I made under the thread called "Our Constitution" that I will put here on this issue.

Ludi

"No"
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mos6507

We're not in as much turmoil as the 60s and there wasn't a political revolution in the 60s, so I don't see it happening yet. We're still waiting to see what happens in the next election.

heroineworshipper

The difference between now & historic revolutions is we have a lot more sources of information saying there isn't going to be a revolution. When people used their own eyes, they saw 50% inflation, loss of free will & had revolutions. Now we've got CEO's & CFO's on the Goog to do that for us & they're finding no inflation, plenty of free will.
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aflurry · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 28, 2005 Posts: 829

Fishman

No, there will be no revolution while many (but certainly not all) of those people wailling and whining are those that have been sitting on their butts getting entitlements but can't make ends meet. If they revolt, hey they might have to go to work and even get by on less.

canis_lupus

The article started out correctly and then slid into a rant of socialist cliches. From lining the pockets of the political insiders to the unfair tax burden and then with the financial mismanagement and currency devaluation, it went right downhill.

The two with the ability to bring revolution are Ron Paul and Obama. Obama's still too establishmentarian and Ron Paul isn't electable. Ron Paul is my guy but if it's McCain vs. Obama, Obama gets my vote. Unfortunately, the word "change" has become a campaign buzzword and little more.

Those who look to the government to make their own lives better are fools.

If you get cranky with me about the above statement, think of how you'll feel when calls start going out for the government to do something about the high price of fuel.

emersonbiggins

canis_lupus

Whoa, timeout. I have to apologize for the above rant. I did a little poking around and it looks like alternet.org isn't a bastion of scholarship and critical thought but a socialist kibbutz.

My bad.

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1916

Interestingly, the story concerning the riot has now been taken off of the internet. I guess they dont want to sow the seeds of panic.

JFT · Tar Sands Joined: Feb 22, 2008 Posts: 21

With a situation such as this one, you can have revolts, riots, uprising, mutinies, etc, but those do not make revolutions, although they are a part of it. In order to have a revolution, you need to have some ideas regarding society, it's ills and how to solve them - and now you have none.

Things would be easier if you had some sort of organized revolutionary movement, like the Spanish Anarcho-sindicalists or the Russian Bolsheviks. Without plans, without organization, without leadership, events will unravel in the most chaotic fashion and social reorganization (if people manage to get there) will be painful - to say the least.

BTW: you know, wars tend to accelerate the process and military discontentment makes winning a lot easier, because disgruntled soldiers tend to join the revolutionaries instead of obeying the rich and firing at them. Given the iraqui-afghani quagmire, I would say condition for a victorious revolution (from the military stand-point) are just optimal.

seahorse2 · Expert Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 1916

One of the first factors behind revolutions was economic upheaval. Keep in mind, we in the US are very early in this game. As Lincoln once said, men dont make the times, times make great men. So, will there be a revolution tomorrow? No. But anyone who doesnt see the seeds of discontent is not being honest with the facts. We are on the verge of an unprecedented financial collapse which hasnt been seen since the Great Depression, we are in a very unpopular war, we see discontent and fracturing on the immigration issue, we see a Presidential candidate Obama riding the wave of "change." Its very early, and already people on Boca Raton are rioting and claiming they will start shooting.

Blacksmith

Interesting how easily people answer no.

Read letters from the early stages of the American Revolutions and people (who fought on the revolutionary side) were still referring to themselves as loyal subjects of the King and referred to the redcoats as "regulars".
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highlander

vision-master

The ultra right-wing gun nuts have been talking about this for a least a year. When white middle aged gun owning male suburban types get mad enough we will have a revolution on our hands.

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
Ah

ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right