Ologies with Alie Ward Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE) with Jack Goldstone
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Sep 24, 2025 Dr. Jack Goldstone, a scholar and professor specialized in revolutions, explores the anatomy of protests and social change. He discusses the evolution of revolutions, the impact of social media, and the significance of elite disaffection as a trigger for uprisings. Goldstone breaks down the dynamics of nonviolent versus violent revolutions and shares insights from the Arab Spring. He emphasizes the role of art and emotion in mobilization while tackling the challenges of misinformation in today's political landscape.
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From Self‑Immolation To Regime Collapse
- The Tunisian revolution ignited after a fruit vendor self-immolated and protests overwhelmed police.
- The military's refusal to defend the dictator turned widespread protests into regime collapse.
Maidan: Mass Occupation And Military Defection
- Ukraine's Maidan saw hundreds of thousands occupy Kiev and the military defect, forcing the ruler to flee.
- The immediate outcome was a democratic transition that later faced further international intervention and war.
Electoral Paths To Authoritarian Revolutions
- Modern 'revolutions' can be authoritarian shifts via elected leaders who dismantle institutions with popular support.
- Mass mobilization isn't always bayonets; institutional capture can produce revolutionary change.
