What Is a Social Revolution?
A social revolution is a political movement that originates with the general population or a society as opposed to a select group of elites in the military or party system. Common examples of a social revolution include the Russian Revolution and the American Civil Rights Movement. Common elements of social revolutions include large protests and civil disobedience.
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Contrast With Other Forms of Revolution
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Unlike a coup, which involves a regime change via military means, or a political revolution, which uses the formal political process to enact change, a social revolution uses a populist form of resistance and protest that does not typically include significant participation from elites within the formal power structure of the existing status quo, such as military or political leaders.
Examples of Social Revolutions
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The Marxist revolution in Russia during 1917, in which the Tsarist monarchy was overthrown, was a social revolution. Another example is the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1960s, in which African Americans and supporters pushed for equality within American society. In the 2000s, events in the Middle East, commonly referred to as the Arab Spring, are an example of social revolutions.
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Common Characteristics
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One common element of many social revolutions is their relative disorganization. Because the elites of a society do not typically take an active role in the revolution, there is frequently little organization involved in the movements, particularly in the early stages. Protests often turn to riots and demonstrations can often be spontaneous as opposed to planned events. Of course, there are always exceptions to this very general characteristic, such as the Million Man March of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Goals of Social Revolutions
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The ultimate goal of a social revolution is not always to completely overthrow or replace the existing power structure. Often, the goal is narrower and involves political reforms and increased levels of civil rights. Because of the disorganized nature of many social revolutions, there may not be a single, uniform goal among all of the participants.
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References
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