Revolutions, while often believed to be anchored in some aspect of spontaneity, are actually much more intertwined with destiny in my opinion. Arendt describes the actual word \u201crevolution\u201d as being \u201coriginally an astronomical term\u201d referring to the \u201crevolving motion of the stars\u201d (Arendt, 35). It is this description of revolutions that I find most intriguing. The idea that they are rooted in something much deeper\u2014something much harder to control\u2014than just an innate human desire for liberation not only renders revolutions more powerful, but it renders them nearly inevitable.<\/p>\n
To have something controlled (or at least linked with) the cosmos is extremely influential. Whether you subscribe to the idea of this unlimited power of the universe is irrelevant because the fact of the matter is that many others in the world do. They have done so for centuries (for explaining earthly phenomena and godlike beings) and still do to this day (with the daily use of horoscopes). While it does seem a bit heretical to claim that all revolutions are imminent due to some sort of all-controlling force, I do believe there is immense power in belief. If those who are planning to start a revolution believe there is some larger power on their side\u2014something that practically guarantees them success\u2014they are inherently willing to fight much harder and give up way more in order to ensure victory.<\/p>\n
Now, while revolutionaries do not base their plan in the cosmos\u2019 backup, they do base it in something just as uncontrollable: the undying human aspiration for freedom. This drive is strong enough for people to put their lives at risk, oftentimes the argument being that death would bring about more freedom than their current, real-world situation (this reminds me of the example of the Haitian woman who killed over seventy unborn children in order to free them from their future shackles and burdens). Although this human characteristic seems to be very man-controlled, who is to say that the universe does not play at least a small part in this drive for liberation?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Revolutions, while often believed to be anchored in some aspect of spontaneity, are actually much more intertwined with destiny in my opinion. Arendt describes the actual word \u201crevolution\u201d as being \u201coriginally an astronomical term\u201d referring to the \u201crevolving motion of … Continue reading