Or have they all just replaced one nasty regime with another?
2007-03-22 00:37:28 · 13 answers · asked by cheryl m 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
There are many examples of both: good things happen because of revolution; and sometimes things just get worse. I think the success of a revolution is best understood by those from the inside, by those who lived it and maybe even took part. But because you have asked, here is my humble opinion. And remember, I am a 40 something white guy living in one of the most stable parts of the planet and enjoying the fruits of my position. There have been several good examples of revolutions given in previous posts so I won't list all the "good" and all the "bad" from my perspective. I will focus on two that I see as examples of successful revolutions.
A revolution does not necessarily have to be bloody or violent. By definition, I think revolution is the overthrowing of an established system with a radical new direction in government, politics and society taking its place. What happened in France in the late 1700s began that was truly a revolution. Something quite remarkable came out of it over the next few decades. Though Napoleon seized power and believed he was expanding the revolution to all of Europe he was a leader with an immature democratic heart . . . that became a dictator. In other words, I believe he knew what he wanted but did not have the skills to nuture a truly democratic nation. Few leaders did at the time. Nor did the French public at the time have the skills to build it themselves. In Europe the unrest of the 1840s and the rise of socialism was probably more important as it focussed on workers' rights and protection, the enormous gap between rich and poor and the need for legislatures and assemblies to reflect the will of the people. These were the things of importance to the common folk. In France, it took 150 years for the "revolution" to succeed . . . once Hitler was defeated. France is an example of a revolution with a bloody beginning (chop, chop) that ended up being one of the most stable democracies in the world . . . much to the chagrin of America who claims to be the freest and truest democracy.
A second revolution that I believe ended up a success has unfolded in Nicaragua over the past 30 years. Ronald Reagan and Oliver North did their best to keep it as it was because a democratic nation with a socialist bent really freaked out America in the late 70s and early 80s. It still does. At the time, Daniel Ortega did what he had to do to gain power and hold on to it. Like Napoleon he knew what he wanted. But unlike Napoleon he had (and continues to have) the skills necessary to succeed. He won a democratic election in 1984 then lost in 1990. When he left office he noted that he initially seized power by force but was defeated at the ballot box, so in his view, the revolution was a success. I think he was right because his recent election success demonstrates the people of 2007 Nicaragua are chosing their path, not being forced or told how to do it. Nicaragua is no country club today but it is developing its economy and more importantly its democratice institutions. If left alone to harrow its own path, I see Nicaragua as a-revolution-in-progress, and well worth watching, and even supporting, if one shares its ideological view.
Well, there you go. What do you think?
2007-03-22 04:08:32 · answer #1 · answered by kennyj 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The 'Velvet' Revolution successfully and peacefully moved Czechoslovakia from a communist to a democratic state. Within a few years the Czechs and the Slovaks also peacefully split (in a sense, a revolution).
2007-03-22 07:58:45 · answer #2 · answered by jh 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
American Revolution.
Industrial Revolution.
2007-03-22 08:04:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Industrial Revolution was a good thing.
2007-03-22 07:42:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes US & French but not in Russia or Iran. Revolution based on gaining rights is for the better but those based on an idealistic zeal are not. If you count the industrial revolution that was pretty useful too
2007-03-22 07:44:55 · answer #5 · answered by sftyk 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The first thing that come's to my mind is the American Revolution. I think it was for the better
2007-03-22 07:42:54 · answer #6 · answered by Boston Mark 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I tend to think that the American Revolution changed the world.
It has been a good thing for the world, despite what other people like to think.
2007-03-22 07:42:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There to many revolution in the world! the revolution is can change to good or bad. basicly the revolution is for a good.
2007-03-22 07:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by The K 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All depends on your perspective. To the Miami exiles who lived a life of luxury in their native Cuba, Castro is the devil. To those who he helped, he is a saviour.
To American conservatives Anastasio Somoza of Nicaragua was a loyal friend, To the majority of the Nicaraguans, he was a kleptocrat who raped their country for his personal benefit. When he was ousted by the Sandinistas, Nicaraguans cheered and the right wingers of the USA led by Reagan began planning their ouster. By 1990, the damage was complete and the Sandinistas were gone. Ronald Reagan was war criminal.
2007-03-22 07:59:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
American Revolution...
but the french revolutions? No
2007-03-22 07:39:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋