So you want a revolution?

The word revolution means “turning around,” meaning a rapid transformation. The most famous revolutions arguably are the American Revolution (1775–1783), the French Revolution (1789-1799) and the Russian Revolution of 1917.

All these revolutions saw a change of power from the hideous monarchy system to the public. Even the English Revolution (1642–1651) – better known as the English Civil War – put power where it belonged… albeit only briefly (the monarchy was re-instituted in 1660).

There have been hundreds of revolutions throughout the centuries. But not all revolutions were successful. The revolutions of 1830 and 1848 in Europe failed to establish democracy.

Not all revolutions are about oppression or tainted with war. Think the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, the Second Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1914), the Sexual Revolution (1960s), the Digital Revolution (1980 onward) leading to the Age of Information. These were revolutions inspired by the great inventors and thinkers of their time.

Political and social revolutions (often a continuing appeal to nationalism), however, seem to trail greed, which itself often precedes war. In the first recorded revolution in history, at around 2800 BC, people from the Sumerian city of Lagash overthrew bureaucrats who were lining their own pockets but kept raising taxes. It seems as if not much has changed! Same sins, just different faces.

REVOLUTION lyrics by the Beatles:

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right
all right, all right

See: So you want a revolution?