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[[File:Russian revolution painting.jpg|thumb|Painting of the [[Russian revolution of 1917]]]] | |||
A '''revolution''' is a process by which one [[social class]] violently overthrows another and takes their place as the | A '''revolution''' is a process by which one [[social class]] violently overthrows another and takes their place as the oppressing class by controlling the [[state]]. Every successful revolution is met with a [[Counter-revolution]] as the previously dominate forces such as [[Capitalism|capitalists]] or [[Feudalism|Lords]] try to exert their remaining strength. In [[China]] this expressed itself in the [[Kuomintang|KMT]]. Whereas in [[Laos]] and [[Vietnam]] this counter-revolution [[Tendency|tendency]] was characterized by [[United_States_of_America|Statesian]] reactionary aggression and war. | ||
== Nature of revolution == | == Nature of revolution == | ||
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A revolution is a violent process. First, because the exploiting class (who is dominating the state and keeping other classes docile) is being removed from power -- this causes a major shift in the [[relations of production]] (unlike, for example, a liberal election where power only goes from one bourgeois to the other). When the [[Feudalism|feudal]] order was abolished after the [[French Revolution|French bourgeois revolution]] of 1789, lords lost all the privileges that the law gave them and saw themselves forced to operate within a [[Capitalism|capitalist]] system if they wanted to keep some power and wealth. | A revolution is a violent process. First, because the exploiting class (who is dominating the state and keeping other classes docile) is being removed from power -- this causes a major shift in the [[relations of production]] (unlike, for example, a liberal election where power only goes from one bourgeois to the other). When the [[Feudalism|feudal]] order was abolished after the [[French Revolution|French bourgeois revolution]] of 1789, lords lost all the privileges that the law gave them and saw themselves forced to operate within a [[Capitalism|capitalist]] system if they wanted to keep some power and wealth. | ||
Secondly, there is almost always physical violence accompanying the revolution. It is either perpetrated by the [[Ruling class|dominant class]], the exploited class, or both. As one side makes sizeable wins, the other will respond in kind and commit more forces so as to shift the balance in their favour. This process then repeats for the other side. This is typically how contradictions evolve in dialectics and was perhaps best exemplified in [[Mao Zedong|Mao]]'s ''On Protracted War'' | Secondly, there is almost always physical violence accompanying the revolution. It is either perpetrated by the [[Ruling class|dominant class]], the exploited class, or both. As one side makes sizeable wins, the other will respond in kind and commit more forces so as to shift the balance in their favour. This process then repeats for the other side. This is typically how contradictions evolve in dialectics and was perhaps best exemplified in [[Mao Zedong|Mao]]'s ''On Protracted War''<ref>https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-2/mswv2_09.htm</ref>. | ||
Finally, as the state is a tool of oppression of one class over another, the losing side will be subjected to violence from the state. In a communist revolution for example, the proletariat seizes state power and makes laws against the bourgeoisie: they see their private property seized and are forced to become proletariat. If they act against the [[Dictatorship of the proletariat|proletarian state]], for example trying to rally support for a [[bourgeois revolution]], they will be tried and possibly imprisoned or executed. | Finally, as the state is a tool of oppression of one class over another, the losing side will be subjected to violence from the state. In a communist revolution for example, the proletariat seizes state power and makes laws against the bourgeoisie: they see their private property seized and are forced to become proletariat. If they act against the [[Dictatorship of the proletariat|proletarian state]], for example trying to rally support for a [[bourgeois revolution]], they will be tried and possibly imprisoned or executed. | ||
[[Liberalism|Liberals]] wrongly believe that some revolutions are not violent, because they seem to lack the second component (physical violence). This is a wrong assessment; [[Hong Kong protests|protesters in Hong Kong]] | [[Liberalism|Liberals]] wrongly believe that some revolutions are not violent, because they seem to lack the second component (physical violence). This is a wrong assessment; [[Hong Kong protests|protesters in Hong Kong]] for example were very violent towards the police as well as civilians. However, since it was an imperialist [[counterrevolution]], the violence was not presented in [[Bourgeois media|Western media]]. Likewise, while [[Mohandas Gandhi|Gandhi]] is often presented as a revolutionary leader who used pacifism to establish a sovereign state in [[Republic of India|India]] (therefore removing the [[British]] colonial regime), many violent groups participated, such as socialists rallying under [[Bhagat Singh]]. | ||
=== Progress and reaction === | === Progress and reaction === | ||
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Bourgeois revolutions were progressive in their time. Overthrowing the feudal order allowed for labour to become more productive, which ultimately allowed socialists to envision [[scientific socialism]] as a reality in the future. As time went on, the bourgeoisie turned into a reactionary force intent on keeping their power at all costs, and they must now be replaced by a progressive class: the [[proletariat]]. | Bourgeois revolutions were progressive in their time. Overthrowing the feudal order allowed for labour to become more productive, which ultimately allowed socialists to envision [[scientific socialism]] as a reality in the future. As time went on, the bourgeoisie turned into a reactionary force intent on keeping their power at all costs, and they must now be replaced by a progressive class: the [[proletariat]]. | ||
A progressive revolution is one that advances the class struggle. A reactionary revolution | A progressive revolution is one that advances the class struggle. A reactionary revolution is one that stifles the class struggle. | ||
== Colour revolutions == | == See also == | ||
=== Colour revolutions === | |||
[[Colour revolution|Colour revolutions]] are revolutions which are funded by imperialists who use popular resentment and grievances towards the state as a way to undermine [[Socialism|socialist]] or [[Anti-imperialism|anti-imperialist]] countries. They are a form of counterrevolution. | [[Colour revolution|Colour revolutions]] are revolutions which are funded by imperialists who use popular resentment and grievances towards the state as a way to undermine [[Socialism|socialist]] or [[Anti-imperialism|anti-imperialist]] countries. They are a form of counterrevolution. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Historical materialism]] | [[Category:Historical materialism]] |