Violent revolution

Violent political revolution

Nature

The use of force, whether by the regular armed forces or by guerrilla, terrorist or other subversive tactics, may be used initially to achieve revolution and may continue to be used in order to suppress the populace and certain key institutions or industries. Such violent means, when used to achieve social, political, economic, cultural or ideological revolution, may result in death, mutilation, massacre, internment without trial, torture, civil or guerrilla war, or social and national disintegration culminating in foreign intervention. It may also lead to repression. This in turn may cause social or national disintegration, counter-revolution and foreign intervention, or civil and guerrilla warfare.

Background

The global significance of violent revolution emerged starkly during the late 18th and 19th centuries, as events like the French and Haitian Revolutions revealed its capacity to reshape societies. Throughout the 20th century, waves of revolutionary violence—from Russia to China and beyond—prompted international scrutiny and scholarly analysis. Increasingly, the phenomenon has been recognized not only for its immediate upheavals but also for its enduring impact on political structures, social order, and human rights worldwide.

Incidence

Violent revolution has manifested across continents, affecting millions through armed uprisings, civil wars, and regime overthrows. In the past decade, several countries have experienced large-scale violence as populations seek radical political change, often resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and long-term instability. The global incidence underscores the persistent vulnerability of states to internal conflict and the profound societal disruptions that follow.
A notable recent example occurred in Sudan in 2019, when months of mass protests escalated into violent confrontations between civilians and security forces, culminating in the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir after three decades in power.

Claim

It has been demonstrated again and again that not only are the ends of revolution corrupted by the tent that noble ends justify all means, but the dynamic of revolution brings bad government. The violence and authoritarianism needed to bring revolt to success reproduces itself in the new regime, sometime much worse than before. The kind of people who emerge as compelling leaders are seldom the kind of people who are willing and able to manage a decent government and practice the inspiring visions that they preach. Real stability comes from suppleness and flexibility, the capacity to perceive shifting needs and bend to them. That is not the legacy of romantic revolution but tedious reform.

Counter-claim

Violent revolution is not an important problem in today’s world. Most societies now resolve conflicts through dialogue, legal systems, and democratic processes. The idea of widespread violent uprisings is outdated and sensationalized. Modern institutions and global cooperation make such events rare and largely irrelevant. Focusing on violent revolution distracts from real issues like economic inequality, climate change, and technological disruption, which actually impact people’s lives on a daily basis.