How to Start a Revolution
There are times when it's necessary to fight against things that have become so wrong that they should no longer be. Things that were once small that have become big, but are no less wrong, must be made small again; a revolution, or a complete circle, is needed. Whether you want freedom from another country, or you want to overthrow an oppressive government, every fight is the same. A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turnaround") is a significant change that usually occurs in a short period of time. Revolutions have happened throughout human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration, motivating ideology, and the number of participating revolutionaries. Their results include major changes in culture, economy, and socio-political institutions.
There are times when it's necessary to fight against things that have become so wrong that they should no longer be. Things that were once small that have become big, but are no less wrong, must be made small again; a revolution, or a complete circle, is needed. Whether you want freedom from another country, or you want to overthrow an oppressive government, every fight is the same. A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turnaround") is a significant change that usually occurs in a short period of time. Revolutions have happened throughout human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration, motivating ideology, and the number of participating revolutionaries. Their results include major changes in culture, economy, and socio-political institutions.
Steps
- Know your Goal. You are about to dedicate your life to this goal. Decide well and make your decision from the heart. A good question to ask yourself is, “What about the political system in which I live do I think is wrong? And what kind of system do I want to create for the people of my country?” Remember, the goal you chose is the Heart of your revolution.
- Build Support and Consensus: Nothing is going to happen if the only rebels are you and your buddies. This is an important step and the setup for either a successful revolution or a small civilian rebellion flop. For the first part of this step you must build support by handing out flyers and pamphlets, by word of mouth and advertisements and through today’s technology. Do whatever it takes to get the word out of your revolution and build support. Once cultivated, your support doesn’t have to meet together or agree on actions or even know each other, but they must be united under a common goal and shared fundamental principles.
- Educate yourself and others about every aspect of the idea of the revolution. Know what and why this fight must happen and how it can be won. Identify the goals and the most efficient means of achieving them without compromise. Appreciate and respect a diversity of tactics. The revolution must be directed towards making things better. This is what is called a "positive vector".4
- Understand that one of the most important aspects of a revolution is that the people are angry. However, the cause for anger ought to be of true convictions, and in their anger there must also be discipline to their cause.
- Put together intentions which must be very popular among the population. It must aim towards the improvement of certain aspects of society, economics, culture, or any other aspects of a social group. Appreciate and respect a diversity of tactics.
- As Egypt has shown us, the devil can be in the details, here -- and your revolution can easily be co-opted. Recognize this as a sign that your idea was popular enough to attract attention, and be prepared to overcome attempted splintering.
- If you have even a small group dedicated to the same cause, it may be useful for someone to serve as a front woman/man; these should be humble people and they must not be identified as "the leader" or "the leaders," but as individuals chosen because they reflect conse
- Take Action. This is the most important step because the revolution dies without it. You must take action whether it is a nonviolent protest or a sit-in or a boycott. Your leader must motivate the support and dutifully work day and night to improve your Revolution. The power in place will defend itself, for that is the nature of power. Illegitimate "governments" are not happy about a rebellion from their people and will do anything to crush resistance. Remember that armed struggle is not an option. No matter how well armed or trained you are, you cannot withstand an organized country's military - especially if a superpower and its allies are backing the regime in place. Last of all, do not let up. Often you may be discouraged by loss or lack of morale but remember, many other countries have revolted and after several losses still have still overcome overwhelming adversity. Remember, your goal is the heart of your operation, your consensus is the mind of the revolution, and the actions you and your support take are the hands of your revolution. 8
- Work for collective liberation, because everyone's liberation is tied to each other's. If we are going to be free, we all need to be free. If we are to have a voice, all must have a voice.
- Demonstrate the popularity of the movement to the people of power, legislature, and military. The greater the popularity among the society, the more the likelihood of violent repression is reduced.
- Realize that a drastic political or social revolution is almost always about freedom. In general, revolutions are about major changes in some aspect of society. A peaceful revolution requires solidarity and agreement.
- Know your Goal. You are about to dedicate your life to this goal. Decide well and make your decision from the heart. A good question to ask yourself is, “What about the political system in which I live do I think is wrong? And what kind of system do I want to create for the people of my country?” Remember, the goal you chose is the Heart of your revolution.
- Build Support and Consensus: Nothing is going to happen if the only rebels are you and your buddies. This is an important step and the setup for either a successful revolution or a small civilian rebellion flop. For the first part of this step you must build support by handing out flyers and pamphlets, by word of mouth and advertisements and through today’s technology. Do whatever it takes to get the word out of your revolution and build support. Once cultivated, your support doesn’t have to meet together or agree on actions or even know each other, but they must be united under a common goal and shared fundamental principles.
- Educate yourself and others about every aspect of the idea of the revolution. Know what and why this fight must happen and how it can be won. Identify the goals and the most efficient means of achieving them without compromise. Appreciate and respect a diversity of tactics. The revolution must be directed towards making things better. This is what is called a "positive vector".4
- Understand that one of the most important aspects of a revolution is that the people are angry. However, the cause for anger ought to be of true convictions, and in their anger there must also be discipline to their cause.
- Put together intentions which must be very popular among the population. It must aim towards the improvement of certain aspects of society, economics, culture, or any other aspects of a social group. Appreciate and respect a diversity of tactics.
- As Egypt has shown us, the devil can be in the details, here -- and your revolution can easily be co-opted. Recognize this as a sign that your idea was popular enough to attract attention, and be prepared to overcome attempted splintering.
- If you have even a small group dedicated to the same cause, it may be useful for someone to serve as a front woman/man; these should be humble people and they must not be identified as "the leader" or "the leaders," but as individuals chosen because they reflect conse
- Take Action. This is the most important step because the revolution dies without it. You must take action whether it is a nonviolent protest or a sit-in or a boycott. Your leader must motivate the support and dutifully work day and night to improve your Revolution. The power in place will defend itself, for that is the nature of power. Illegitimate "governments" are not happy about a rebellion from their people and will do anything to crush resistance. Remember that armed struggle is not an option. No matter how well armed or trained you are, you cannot withstand an organized country's military - especially if a superpower and its allies are backing the regime in place. Last of all, do not let up. Often you may be discouraged by loss or lack of morale but remember, many other countries have revolted and after several losses still have still overcome overwhelming adversity. Remember, your goal is the heart of your operation, your consensus is the mind of the revolution, and the actions you and your support take are the hands of your revolution. 8
- Work for collective liberation, because everyone's liberation is tied to each other's. If we are going to be free, we all need to be free. If we are to have a voice, all must have a voice.
- Demonstrate the popularity of the movement to the people of power, legislature, and military. The greater the popularity among the society, the more the likelihood of violent repression is reduced.
- Realize that a drastic political or social revolution is almost always about freedom. In general, revolutions are about major changes in some aspect of society. A peaceful revolution requires solidarity and agreement.
Tips
- To be successful, you need to be totally committed; compromise is failure.
- There is strength in numbers. The greater the mass and unity of the movement, the better chance of getting demands met.
- Keep your eye on the 'big picture.' Don't drown yourself in the details.
- Always use the truth, and never succumb to the temptations of power or money. Believe in your cause and in your power base. Revolution is belief.
- Remember to trust the people who you fight for. They are your legacy.
- Take input from others. Revolution can't happen because of just one person; don't be a vigilante.
- You will benefit no one if you are just attempting to consolidate power or gain recognition only for yourself.
- Listen to your heart and think about what is needed most.
- If you want to change the world around you, then you have to change yourself first!
- You need someone or something to represent your rebellion like a symbol for example: Katniss is the Mockingjay.Warnings
- To be successful, you need to be totally committed; compromise is failure.
- There is strength in numbers. The greater the mass and unity of the movement, the better chance of getting demands met.
- Keep your eye on the 'big picture.' Don't drown yourself in the details.
- Always use the truth, and never succumb to the temptations of power or money. Believe in your cause and in your power base. Revolution is belief.
- Remember to trust the people who you fight for. They are your legacy.
- Take input from others. Revolution can't happen because of just one person; don't be a vigilante.
- You will benefit no one if you are just attempting to consolidate power or gain recognition only for yourself.
- Listen to your heart and think about what is needed most.
- If you want to change the world around you, then you have to change yourself first!
- You need someone or something to represent your rebellion like a symbol for example: Katniss is the Mockingjay.Warnings
- Have some idea about how you want society to look like after the revolution. If structures to take over are not in place innocent people might suffer.
- A revolution is not about you, it's about everyone collectively. Do not try to take fame.
- As in many revolutions in the past, you could be killed in war, attacked, tortured, become a prisoner, etc. by people in power who are protecting their interests. But that does not mean the movement and cause cannot overcome if enough resolve is there. They are only methods those in power partake in to intimidate and try to put the fire of revolution out before it consumes them.
- Never let the purpose of the revolution be led by the will of a single person or group; adherents must be ruled only by their legitimate cause.
- Have some idea about how you want society to look like after the revolution. If structures to take over are not in place innocent people might suffer.
- A revolution is not about you, it's about everyone collectively. Do not try to take fame.
- As in many revolutions in the past, you could be killed in war, attacked, tortured, become a prisoner, etc. by people in power who are protecting their interests. But that does not mean the movement and cause cannot overcome if enough resolve is there. They are only methods those in power partake in to intimidate and try to put the fire of revolution out before it consumes them.
- Never let the purpose of the revolution be led by the will of a single person or group; adherents must be ruled only by their legitimate cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment