Concepts of Revolution
and
Why People Engage in Revolution
MILKAH C. PAGOBO
G E - L IF E A N D WOR KS OF R I ZA L
B A C H E LO R O F A R T S I N P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E
REVOLUTION
This pertains to the degree of
revolutionary transformation and to
the mode in which such
transformation is achieved.
This pertains to legitimate
means of revolutionary
transformation.
This pertains to the primary objective
of revolutionary transformation.
This pertains to the primary agent
of radical transformation.
This pertains to the primary target
of revolutionary change.
This question pertains to (a) the temporality or,
more narrowly, the duration and (b) the
expansion of revolutionary transformation.
1. the question of revolutionary novelty which is discussed on a
spectrum between the extremes of absolute and relative notions of
rupture and beginning;
2. the question of revolutionary violence and its legitimacy discussed
on the spectrum between unqualified approval and unreserved
exclusion as a means of revolution;
3. the question of revolutionary freedom discussed on the spectrum
between negative (liberation) and positive (foundation) concepts of
freedom as the aim of revolution;
4. the question of the revolutionary subject discussed on the
spectrum between individual doers on the one end and a global
“multitude” on the other;
5. the question of the revolutionary object or target discussed on the
spectrum between political, social institutions and individual,
subjective attitudes, convictions, and beliefs; and,
6. the question of the temporal and spatial extension of revolution
discussed on the spectrum between momentary and local on the one
end, permanent and global on the other
Why do people engage in revolution?
According to Herbert Marcuse, people engage in revolution to break free
from the existing order.
In my own opinion, if we’re going to set the Philippine Revolution as an
example, the Filipinos engaged in revolution because they wanted to experience
change, be it in economic, political or educational. They wanted to have
freedom and stand on their own. It can be agreed upon that the common
underlying cause of these revolts were the generally repressive policies of the
Spanish colonial government against the native Filipinos.
Online Sources
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/asianrevolutions/pdf/what-is-revolution.pdf
https://www.iep.utm.edu/pol-rev/
https://www.quora.com/What-were-the-reasons-for-theFilipino-revolt-against-the-Spaniards
http://web.colby.edu/continuingrevolutions/2016/12/13/
why-join-a-revolution/