Revolutions

Abstract

Revolutions entail the overthrow and transformation of states or political regimes, typically but not always by violent means, by popular rebellions or insurrections. In some revolutions, the overthrow of the state is accompanied by or results in fundamental economic and social change; such revolutions are also known as “social revolutions” or “great revolutions.” Other revolutions (called “political revolutions”) bring about new political orders but little if any economic or social change. A successful revolution quite often requires the prior weakening or collapse of the “infrastructural power” of the old regime (that is, its capacity to enforce its will upon society), although this is sometimes accomplished by revolutionaries themselves against chronically weak states.