Why (i feel) the so-called 'revolution' will never happen/succeed.

The following is an explanation as to the factors contributing to the obstruction of a peaceful change in political configuration.

Importantly, while i did say that i felt the 'Revolution' would never occur, i did not mention that if the reasons were dealt with, a 'Revolution' could possibly succeed, so don't consider me pessimistic purely because of the thread title.

I will attempt to explain why certain factors can be overcome, too.

I'll start with mass-media, a subject more or less everyone has an opinion on.

As many people understand, the mass-media is essentially the most powerful tool of control that is available to those who are willing to use it.

The reasons for this are numerous - the mass-media is the #1 bringer of world knowledge, as without the media we (the general public) would not be aware of events going on outside of our own local areas.

My second reason is that EVERY Media organisation is a capitalist organisation, even though they may 'proclaim' to be a socialist or communist based company, they still operate within the confines of a Capitalist State, and therefore need to play by the capitalist rules.

This unfortunately makes members of the Media vulnerable to the same problems that face every other Capitalist organisation, i.e; Greed, Competition, stock markets, etc.

It is because of these factors that i acknowledge that the Capitalist Mass-Media stands firmly in the way of peaceful revolution; A Group of 100,000 peaceful protestors will probably generate the same (or less) amount of notice from the media as a person walking into a shopping mall and shooting up some bystanders.

Potentially, the factor of mass-media could be overcome if the protest was large enough, for example a million-man rally (with strike action), which would probably grab the headlines for at least a month, which would be long enough for the general public to latch onto the idea of political evolution.

The second factor is Private interest, and this is a pretty broad factor, encompassing every single person who may have a motivation for or against a 'Revolution'.

There are people out there who rabidly oppose Revolution, some because of good-natured caution thanks to the propoganda spread by the Reagan Institute during the cold-war, but some because they know how much power they stand to lose in such a situation.

The primary reason for this mentality is fear, the fear of a loss of national or financial security, the fear of a change to something un-imaginably worse.

It is true that if a Revolution were to occur, and succeed - those revolutionists would then find themselves faced by what i like to call 'hazing the new guy' by other established super-powers; in terms of international politics, the Russian or even the Chinese may not even acknowledge the emerging Libertarian Republic (or whatever) for what it is, and treat it as they would a revolution in their own country (oppression).

People look to the current leadership and they see a defence against foreign oppression, in otherwords.

How can this be overcome?

Well, you'd probably have to start by seizing military assets, and maintaining a rather flamboyant stance of moral and political dominance over the other nations of the world.

This might be easier to do if the Revolution took place in several countries as opposed to just America - for example, if the Revolution were to take place in England, Japan, Australia, Africa etc, then the position of strength would be that much higher.

We'd also have to deal with the middle-east, and trying to do anything to solve that problem is like putting a stick into a hornet's nest.

There is also a possibility of Other nations that, upon seeing a great weakness in their former political adversaries, become somewhat imperialistic, potentially taking lands that would previously been defended by the U.S out of strategic interest.

Let's just say that the Fears of the general public are in some instances quite well founded.

But that isn't to say that these issues cannot be overcome as well, provided the Revolution is far-reaching enough.

Anyway, onto my third and final (for now) factor, which is Discord in the Ranks.

Naturally, any political or corporate organisation interested in preserving things as they are, whether out of fear or out of whatever else, would seek methods in which to slow down or impeed the Attack of the Clo- Sorry, i mean Rise of the Black Star (or whatever).

As such methods will be available to crack down our brethren, potentially even subverting us and our peers, whether by viral methods or by simple emotional tools such as blackmail or incrimination, and they have a right to do this because most protests obstruct business.

Which, incidentally, is the point.

Everything in this society works in favour of those who are powerful, this is the unwritten law of the political playground, infact oftentimes it is quite difficult to work society in favour of those who are not-so-powerful, because the not-so-powerful tend to be divisive and don't like helping one another out.

This factor highlights why it is so important that Facism must be eradicated wherever it rears it's isolated head, as it is because of our choices not to help others, that others choose not to help us.

Pro-active Facism is something akin to meditating on How to cause Genocide, in my estimations, and no one likes a guy who massacres people just because he's wearing a band t-shirt.

Facism is the tool of the Elite, is what i'm trying to say.

Now then, instead of explaning my fractured reasoning for how Facism can be overcome, i'll open this up for people to answer to themselves.

Also, feel free to question any of my thinkings on the issue of revolution, as i'll enjoy any criticism or praise linked to the subject, provided i'm permitted to respond with my own counter-arguments without fear of excluding such cynics from the discussion.

I agree with a lot of what you said in your post. Thanks for taking the time.

In my opinion, a peaceful revolution will never have success. It's a nice thought that drastic change can be achieved without violence, but I'm at the point now where I believe that peaceful revolution is wishful thinking. I've been racking my brain, but I can't think of any successful peaceful revolution that was of the scale that is needed now. Can anyone provide any examples to help make less of a pessimist out of me? Apathy is also a big reason that any type of revolution won't have a large chance of success. By the time the people realize they need to do something, it will be too late. I hope I'm wrong, and that the change we need can be done without loss of life, but humans seem to have a fetish over death and destruction of each other, so I won't hold my breath.

Unfortunately Kronik, i'm of the opinion that a violent revolution stands even less chance of success than a peaceful one.

It's easy to look at my reasoning and size yourself up against the problems, instead of seeing how you can individually help to attain the solutions, i know that all too well.

But let me explain one thing to you as to why violent revolution would be impossible to carry out;

The Establishment will have a reason to use live-ammunition.

reply to post by Throbber


I used to think the same thing. But theres a lot of live ammo the peoples side too. I really do hope that that old saying the violence doesn't solve anything is true, but it seems to me that violence is one of the few languages that all humans can understand, and if it comes down to it, I think that more people would stand up if the establishment started to kill its own citizens in plain view, and make their stand over something that feels like it supercedes the needs of oneself. I fear that if the revolution is simply a giant protest with signs and megaphones that it won't be enough to overcome the apathetic nature of society. Even I used to avoid peaceful protesting because I felt the impact was negligible. I now see different, thankfully.

In the end, one way or another, this has to happen. Let's hope for it to be done peacefully, but don't be suprised that once it starts, violence won't be far behind.

reply to post by Kronik98


The saying "Violence doesn't solve anything" is infact true, but only because Violence blows the people causing the problem up.

It doesn't solve the problem, but it does make it less critical.

Your mention on how the people have live ammo of their own causes conflict with me, considering how firearms are illegal in the U.K.

I fear i shall be going into battle armed with a crowbar and home-made explosives.

reply to post by Throbber


My bad, I thought that you were in new england, not NE England. We have the same issues with guns here in Canada, but if you really want them, you can find them. But who needs guns, we'll go into battle in hockey gear with a bag of pucks.

I agree with your assessment of the violence quote.

[edit on 3/17/2008 by Kronik98]

There's going to be a revolution?..hmm...i haven't heard of this occurance

its new to me...

Viva La Revolución!

here's a website...

www.strawberryfrog.typepad.com...

reply to post by Goradd


One would assume that in the next 200 years some sort of political movement would occur and reshape the face of world-politics.

I didn't say it was going to happen anytime soon.