The Philosophical Basis of Revolution: A Journey Through Ideas of Upheaval

By Emily Fletcher

Revolutions are not merely historical events; they are profound philosophical challenges to the State, rooted in deep questions about justice, power, and the nature of Change. From ancient Greek city-states to modern industrial societies, philosophers have grappled with the 'why' and 'when' of radical societal transformation. This article explores the rich philosophical tapestry that underpins the concept of Revolution, drawing insights from the enduring wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World.

The Ancient Roots: Order, Decay, and the Ideal State

The earliest philosophical inquiries into political upheaval often viewed Change in government not as a positive aspiration, but as a deviation from an ideal order or a natural cycle of decay.

Plato's Ideal and Its Decline

In Plato's Republic, the philosopher outlines an ideal State – the aristocracy ruled by philosopher-kings – and then meticulously traces its inevitable decline through successive, less just forms: timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and finally, tyranny. For Plato, Revolution is less a justified uprising and more a symptom of a State's internal corruption and its failure to uphold justice. Each transition represents a fundamental Change in the soul of the State and its citizens, driven by a shift in their dominant desires and values. The cycle, though lamentable, illustrates the inherent instability when a State strays from its philosophical foundations.

Aristotle's Pragmatic Analysis of Stasis

Aristotle, in his Politics, offers a more empirical and less prescriptive analysis of Change within the State, which he terms stasis (often translated as revolution or constitutional change). He meticulously categorizes the causes and types of revolutions, not to advocate for them, but to understand how political systems evolve and how stability might be maintained. For Aristotle, a Revolution signifies a Change in the constitution (the politeia), which fundamentally alters the character of the State.

Common Aristotelian Causes of Stasis (Revolution):

  • Inequality: Discrepancies in wealth, power, or honor can breed resentment and a desire for Change.
  • Desire for Gain or Honor: Ambitious individuals or groups seeking to enhance their status.
  • Fear: Of punishment for wrongdoing or of impending injustice.
  • Contempt: When citizens lose respect for their rulers or the existing order of the State.
  • Disproportionate Increase in Power: When one part of the State (e.g., the wealthy, the poor) gains too much influence, threatening the balance.
  • Election Intrigues and Negligence: Flaws in political processes that undermine legitimacy.

The Enlightenment era brought a radical shift in Philosophy, moving away from cycles of decay towards the concept of individual rights and the legitimacy of popular sovereignty. Here, Revolution transforms from a lamentable decline into a potentially justified act of reclaiming power.

Locke's Social Contract and the Right to Resist

John Locke's Two Treatises of Government is a cornerstone of revolutionary Philosophy. He posited that individuals possess inherent natural rights—to life, liberty, and property—that precede the formation of any State. Governments are formed by the consent of the governed, entering into a social contract to protect these rights. When a government, or the State itself, breaches this contract by systematically infringing upon natural rights, the people retain the right to Revolution. For Locke, this is not merely an act of rebellion but a return to a state of nature to establish a new, legitimate government that will uphold the fundamental Change desired by the populace.

Rousseau and the General Will

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in The Social Contract, further developed the idea of popular sovereignty. He argued that true legitimacy for the State comes from the "General Will" of the people, which aims at the common good. If a government fails to act in accordance with this General Will, it forfeits its authority. The people, as the true sovereign, have the right to reclaim their power and institute a new form of government. Rousseau's Philosophy implies a more radical and direct form of popular Change, where the people collectively assert their will against a corrupt or unresponsive State.

The Modern Tempest: Class, History, and Radical Transformation

The 19th century witnessed the emergence of revolutionary theories rooted in economic and historical determinism, most famously articulated by Karl Marx.

Marx's Historical Materialism and Class Struggle

Karl Marx, alongside Friedrich Engels, presented a Philosophy of history in The Communist Manifesto that viewed society as a series of class struggles. For Marx, the State is an instrument of the ruling class, designed to maintain its power and exploit the working class (the proletariat). Revolution, specifically the proletarian revolution, is not just a right but an inevitable historical necessity. It is the ultimate Change that will overthrow the capitalist State and its economic system, leading to a classless society. Marx's Philosophy posits a violent, fundamental Revolution as the only means to achieve true liberation and societal transformation.

The Enduring Question: Justification and the Nature of Change

The philosophical basis of Revolution remains a dynamic and often contentious area of inquiry. Is revolution a cyclical decay (Plato), a constitutional adjustment (Aristotle), a justified defense of rights (Locke), an expression of popular sovereignty (Rousseau), or an inevitable historical force (Marx)?

These thinkers, drawn from the Great Books of the Western World, offer diverse perspectives on the conditions under which radical Change is warranted or even necessary. They force us to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of power, the limits of authority, and the moral obligations of both rulers and the ruled. The Philosophy of Revolution thus challenges us to continually re-evaluate the legitimacy of the State and the mechanisms through which societies achieve justice and progress.

(Image: A classical painting depicting the storming of the Bastille, but with a subtle overlay of philosophical texts. In the foreground, a diverse crowd surges forward, some holding makeshift weapons, others unfurling banners. Above them, almost translucent, are faint, superimposed fragments of text from Locke's Two Treatises of Government, Rousseau's The Social Contract, and Marx's Communist Manifesto, suggesting the intellectual currents driving the physical upheaval. The scene is dynamic, capturing both the chaos and the underlying ideology of revolutionary Change against the backdrop of the old State.)

Video by: The School of Life

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Video by: The School of Life

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