Is it possible for a revolution to occur in the United States.?

Question

My question concerns the possibility of a rebelious overthrow of the American government on a national level.

This question has nothing to do with the current administration, the war in Iraq, or any political agenda, so please leave any liberal, conservative, and centerist banter out.

This is more directly related to the views expressed by many philosophers during the enlightenment, that the government is made to serve the people, and if that government becomes corrupt, then it is the right of the people to rise up against it. Thomas Jefferson, himself, said that a government should be changed every hundred years or so, just for upkeep.

I wonder, if the American people were to grow tired or oppressed by the constitutional government, if they could rise up, and take back their power.

Even the Civil War was a little different. A geographic area attempted to secede from the union, as opposed to an overthrow of government power, as in the French Revolution.

Answer 1

People are too busy making money and are highly self-centered...... I can't see this leading to any nation-wide revolution on broader common issues... I believe the values that obtain these days are not likely to bring about any nation-wide revolution as long as money making opportunities are not curbed or thwarted or disabled by direct Govt action.

Answer 2

It's possible, but very unlikely at this point. When society leads a sufficiently prosperous life (materially speaking), they are not as concerned about defending their freedoms from their own gov't. It could be argued that we Americans have the best life on the planet, in terms of standard of living and disposable income. So if the gov't restricts a few freedoms here and regulates a bit more there, most Americans don't really care as long as they can still live the good life.

If however the US were to be hit with a major economic crisis, things might change. People will become more concerned with what their gov't is doing (or not doing), and may find a new emphasis on defending our freedoms. And unfortunately, this economic crisis is probably all but inevitable.

Both social security and medicare are financially unsustainable. The gov't can (and probably will) drastically increase taxes and reduce benefits, but this will only postpone the inevitable. Congress' own GAO has estimated the unfunded liabilities of these programs over the next 75 years to be at least $66 Trillion with a T dollars. Unfunded means the amount over and above any possible incoming tax revenues. This is about 10 times the current national debt (which we're already barely able to pay the interest on), and a significant fraction of this country's entire net worth. In a few more decades there simply won't be any money left for education, defense, emergency services, welfare, or much else.

For what it's worth, other, more socialized countries will probably hit their economic breaking points even sooner.

I'm 36 now. Towards the end of my expected lifetime, after 2040 or so, things are going to get pretty nasty. In addition to a cancerous gov't, around the same time we're going to start running out of oil, and the two together may well lead to an economic collapse, especially if our gov't deems it necessary to switch to a command economy. When that happens, I think you will see more discontent and unrest among the population than at any time since the protests over Vietnam and civil rights about 40 years ago, and if things get really bad then we may be in for a real gov't shakeup.

For more on our govt's financial unsustainability and the possibility of revolution in the US, check out the links below.

Answer 3

In one sense, we have a 'revolution' every 4 years. It's called an 'election' and it gives the people the opportunity to overthrow any members of the current government that they feel aren't doing such a hot job.
The problem is that in the typical election only about 20% (or less) of qualified voters actually show up and vote.
Henry David Thoreau probably said it best; "People generally tend to get the kind of government that they deserve."

Doug
EDIT: 'Retired' makes a lot of good points. I'm 62 and I've seen a lot of the same things he (or she) has. And now, with the universal government ID, the continued assaults on the 1'st and 2'nd Amendments, the total economic mis-management of the last 50+ years, etc. etc. I'm thinking seriously of moving somewhere else.

Answer 4

History shows that revolution is not only possible, but likely. The USA was born of a revolution so we have it in our blood, our genes, indeed in our morals and values as a nation.

Every great civilization has had it's revolutions. Jefferson was right: things get stale and should be overturned periodically. But you need a catalyst.

Could the USA be heading towards a revolution? Certainly. As I wander thru life I find my self in political conversations with people more and more frequently. People from all sorts of backgrounds and beliefs (political and religious). While beliefs at the micro level may differ (Jesus or Moses or Mohammud? Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian?), all people I speak with show a strong dissatisfaction with the govt. Older folks have more living history so I tend to take their opinions as more valid but everyone has their good reasons for discontent.

People have a low, very low rating for the govt and for good reason. The nonsense that comes out of Washington on a daily basis is pathetic. Hearings regarding Gonzalez and various political firings of AG's? Are you freaking kidding me??? How about getting us out of Iraq? Fixing the broken tax code? Securing Social Security for the future? Repairing our infrastructure? Lowering healthcare costs? My God! And these baffoons in DC bicker about high level political firings?

You say you want a revolution, well you know, we all want to change the world. Jefferson thought change was good-so do I.

Answer 5

"I wonder, if the American people were to grow tired or oppressed by the constitutional government, if they could rise up, and take back their power."

First don't end a question with a period, second we are tired of all the corrupt, dishonest, lying, cheating, pieces of ca-ca-doo-doo we get in government. We have not had a decent government in the 70+ years I've been alive. They can't get a thing done and then blame it on the other party. I'd like to see (for once) both parties looking out for the common man instead of some big company that has bribed them. It's already popping out with Hillary taking money from that "Shu?" gentleman. What will be next, or should I say who will be next? I haven't felt like people should vote since Eisenhower ran for office. Now I'm waiting to see who I WANT LEAST IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THEN VOTE FOR THE OTHER ONE!! My blood pressure is getting too high, I'm out of here!

Answer 6

Yes, and it is provided for in our Constitution which gives us the right to bear arms. Could it ever be successful? It is doubtful. Our government is formed in a manner that, if there is a need for change in the order of things, then people can vote for individuals they think will bring about those changes or for laws to be written, or changed, so that our government and our society can change as the population feels it needs to change. The thing is, you have to be part of the system in order to bring about those changes and they will take time. You also have to trust that the individuals voted to represent your interests will do just that and not follow their own whims based on their own private interests. This is where our system is running into problems now. The individuals in charge aren't the best or the brightest for the most part, across party lines.

Answer 7

I suppose it could happen, though it's relatively unlikely.

There is a part in the Declaration of Independance that states that if a government is tyranical etc., that it is the right and duty of the people to take it into their own hands (or words to such an effect).

You have an interesting question, and I think a revolution is not outside the limits of possibility.

Answer 8

no way. do you think the kind of intelligence ,communication, technology available to todyas government will let anyone do it? besides the rich control the government, society,media and they have a vested interest in keeping the present system going. how on earth can poor people throw this government out. and if you are hoping the liberals will throw out the government for being pissed over iraq and afghanistan get real! nobody does a revolution for tyranny on foreign people, people like to write editorials and organize rally, but organise a revolution, you must be kidding.

Answer 9

The purpose of elections and voting is the same as rebelling and overthrowing the government. If the majority of the people slowly changed over to being communist, the the communist party would gain power, an overtake instead of overthrow. Rebellion is change, democracy can be change, if desired.

Answer 10

It doesn't seem likely in the near future, as most people seem more concerned about their SUVs, cell phones, and the latest scandal than they do about politics. But as Thomas Jefferson said, "A little revolution every now and then is a good thing." So, who knows.