There have been great revolutions in human history, each of which has caused a fundamental change in the social and political systems of human societies. The word revolution means a return from one state to another and a fundamental transformation.
In common parlance, revolution is defined as the attempt to overthrow the government and create a new government for fundamental changes in all institutions, relations of political and social structure and the replacement of a new and desirable organization within the framework of specific goals and ideals (Nielsen). The philosophy of the revolution is expressed in such a way that the nature of an object has necessarily changed, and the phenomenon of the revolution, as shown by the surviving antiquities, is very old and deep-rooted (Korvela). Thus, theorists and political scientists have always considered the study of political philosophers’ views on the phenomenon of revolution and its concept.
The history of political thought largely confirms that the idea of revolution as a structural and justifiable change was unknown before modernity. From the works of Aristotle and Plato, it can be understood that at that time there was no phenomenon called revolution in its modern sense (Nielsen). According to Grosser, in ancient and medieval political thought, revolution was primarily concerned with chaos and civil war. Even in the works of an early modern thinker such as Machiavelli, the idea of an absolute cessation, the revolution is a “fundamental rupture in the continuity of politics is not fully developed” (Grosser). Experts agree that Machiavelli could theoretically be considered the founder of the idea of revolution in Europe, but the discovery of the revolution is reflected and supported as a political category related to political and moral philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries (New Political).
In the field of theory, there are different views on the concept of revolution. Karl Marx sees revolution as the locomotive of evolution and transformation. According to Marx, the process of revolution is a catalytic force for progress and the principle of revolution for freedom, which in his view is the transfer of political power to the proletariat and below class. Marx and Engels see the violence of the revolution as inevitable, but Engels recommends peaceful ways to improve the situation (Korvela). For Walter Benjamin, the revolution is an emergency brake. In John Locke's idea, revolution can be necessary to gain or preserve property rights and against government coercion. Thomas Hobbes defines revolution as the right of people to defend themselves against oppressive rulers (Grosser).
According to Montesquieu, the revolution must have a peaceful and moral character, and there must be the possibility of a peaceful transition in any revolution. For this reason, the intellectual elites must play an important role in controlling and leading the revolution. On the other hand, Hegel does not see the revolution as a purely political phenomenon, but as a historical phenomenon (New Political). However, Rousseau sees in the existence of the "people" the central subject and core of the revolution, and considers the possibility of the success and victory of the revolution in an exceptional and sudden opportunity possible only through the use of violence. Revolution can achieve a radical equality with a liberal law (Nielsen). As a result, based on the multitude of intellectual ideas, a completely new understanding of the concept of "revolution" has been formed in the context of historical revolutions.
As Grosser argues, a string of democratic theories is largely influenced by Locke's work, and is formed in Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson is the third President of the United States and one of the founders of the United States, one of the great pioneers of the American Revolution of Independence. He brought the revolution to the political arena. Jefferson sees violence as possible in defense of freedom, but prefers reform and peaceful transition. He condemns the execution of the king in the French Revolution, because this assassination created a political vacuum that resulted in military domination and the rise of Napoleon. In addition, such a murder paved the way for the spread of further violence (Grosser). According to the thinkers of the democratic tradition, revolutionary violence is allowed only within a very specific framework, which leads to freedom and peace. Otherwise, violence can lead the revolution astray (Korvela). Thus, the idea of non-violence played a very important role in the emergence of democracy in the United States and later in Europe, and as a result, the classic idea of revolution, which, like the French Revolution, accepted violence and overthrow, became unnecessary.
In conclusion, "Revolution" is a phenomenon that has always been of interest to historians, social scientists, and political thinkers. The true origin of the revolution was first examined by Aristotle, but not in its modern meaning. Over the centuries, many thinkers have asked countless questions about the concept of revolution, and views have differed dramatically, and ultimately have not reached a comprehensive and unified conclusion for revolution. What is more or less common among experts is an aspect of the revolution that leads to the revolt of the people against the oppressive rulers. In my opinion, since human beings are inherently free beings, they do not tolerate oppression for a long time, so public dissatisfaction can be a crucial element of a revolution. Since revolutions have been so efficient in the history of the world, it is not surprising that various theories have been developed to try to explain them.
Works Cited
Grosser, Florian. “Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.” University of St. Gallen. Aug 6, 2014. https://iep.utm.edu/pol-rev/
Korvela, Paulz-Erik. “The Machiavellian Reformation.” An Essay in Political Theory. Nov 11, 2006.
Nielsen, Kai. “On the choice between reform and revolution.” An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy. Aug 29, 2008.
“New Political Ideas and Revolutions.” historyhaven. June 26, 2019.
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