Anatomies of Revolution

A comprehensive account of how revolutions begin, unfold and end, featuring a wide range of cases from across modern world history.

George Lawson (Author)

9781108710855, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 July 2019

296 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.6 cm, 0.42 kg

'The book will likely stand as the ideal-typical example of fourth generation revolution studies … will be read a generation from now.' Colin J. Beck, Social Forces

Recent years have seen renewed interest in the study of revolution. Spurred by events like the 2011 uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East, the rise of Islamic State, and the emergence of populism, a new age of revolution has generated considerable interest. Yet, even as empirical studies of revolutions are thriving, there has been a stall in theories of revolution. Anatomies of Revolution offers a novel account of how revolutions begin, unfold and end. By combining insights from international relations, sociology, and global history, it outlines the benefits of a 'global historical sociology' of revolutionary change, one in which international processes take centre stage. Featuring a wide range of cases from across modern world history, this is a comprehensive account of one of the world's most important processes. It will interest students and scholars studying revolutions, political conflict and contentious politics in sociology, politics and international relations.

Introduction: the rights and wrongs of revolution
Part I. Theories: 1. Revolutionary dynamics
2. Within and beyond the fourth generation
3. Anatomies of revolution
Part II. Histories: 4. Revolutionary situations: England and Chile
5. Revolutionary trajectories: Cuba and South Africa
6. Revolutionary outcomes: Iran and Ukraine
Part III. Prospects: 7. Revolutions in the contemporary world
8. Revolutionary futures.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Comparative politics [JPB], Sociology [JHB], Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions [HBTV], General & world history [HBG]