Revolutions are extraordinary. They are by surprise. They are unpredictable. As Shah of Shahs reads, “Revolt is a great experience, an adventure of the heart.” Revolutions are stimulating, they provide a rush of youthful thought, of unified sacrifice. However, when revolutions end people are lost. They seep into their monotonous lives once again. This can explain why society is always chomping at the bit for revolution. As we’ve discussed in class, at its first opportunity, revolt will occur. This is because people long for that rush of revolt. Why Revolutions? Because for many, revolutions are empowering. They are a way to break the boring trends of everyday life.
Not only do Revolutions provide an “extraordinary event” as Kapuscinski would say but unify communities of people who normally wouldn’t bat an eye at one another. It is the adrenaline of unified defiance that makes up the tempting allure of Revolution. Furthermore, people will always be enticed by the human connection that revolution forces upon its participants. The Unthinkable Revolution reads, “People who used to confront each other with hostility…now, because of their common struggle, have become kinder to each other and treat each other with generosity.” Revolutions require sacrifice and sacrifice requires trust, a trust that is strengthened through connection. Kurzman argues that people are dying to participate, that human nature yearns for the courageous act of participating in rebellion. Revolutions are a vessel for empowerment, unification, connection and agency. As Kapuscinski would say, people will always have that pebble that nags at their side, waiting for the chance to be revolutionary.
I disagree with the assumption that people are always yearning for the prospect of revolution. I think the claim needs to be contextualized to maybe certain circumstances. Many times revolutions are romanticized to the point that people may claim they want a revolution, but in most cases are fearful of alienating or overthrowing the institutions that give them stability. Individuals, once they have found a certain degree of physical and material security and dignity, will not view revolution as an enticing option in which to engage in political participation.
To piggy back of Mickey’s point I also find the way revolutions bring about people from all walks of life together very intriguing because we as human beings are able to put aside all prejudices and biases for a brief moment in the search of something bigger. No matter how this comes about whether it is a sports celebration or the toppling of an oppressive regime.. i think it brings out the best in those that are involved!
I too believe that trust among a cohort of society is crucial to the viability and success of a revolution, but trust is also a variable that is largely unpredictable. People must be willing to give an incredible amount of trust in other people to show up because no one wants to bear the brunt of a revolution alone. I say trust is largely unpredictable because its a nonverbal stipulation, yet the entire revolution is contingent upon people trusting other people that they will show up in droves to amass and catalyze a movement. To me, this element of trust adds to the excitement and stimulation revolutions provide.
Revolutions are so alluring in part because of their rare ability to bring together people of vastly different backgrounds, as you mention. There is a certain empowerment and strength one feels when he is apart of something much larger–and much more diverse–than himself. This is why, as we talked about in class, people gather in droves after their favorite team wins a championship. Not only does it feel good to celebrate your team’s success, but you also get a sort of pleasure in being apart of such a large group that–regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, political affiliation, or any other identify factor–shares your same level of happiness and has felt the same level of turmoil throughout the ups and downs of the season. Both revolutions and championship celebrations are similar in that they allow individual people to come together and take part in something that is much larger just they themselves could create.