EQ: How useful are each of these theories for explaining subsequent political

revolutions?
The subsequent political revolutions following the French Revolution of 1789 shed
light on the underlying issues that continued to plague the country. In fact, many of
the revolutions to follow cited the same grievances that their predecessors had
fought over decades prior: dissatisfaction with political leaders, more participation
in government, and better treatment of the working class. In The Ancient Regime,
Tocqueville argues that revolutions occur not when conditions are the worst, but
when a temporary crisis disrupts the high expectations of the people. At the base of
much of the conflict following the French Revolution was a disconnect between the
expectation of the people and the actions of the government. The citizens of France
simply expected more in all respects: more competent leaders, a larger voice in
political affairs, and labor conditions for the working class. In turn, Tocquevilles
theory provided an accurate prediction of subsequent revolutions in that it
emphasized the importance of the mindset of the people. In short, it is not the
reality of a situation that brings citizens to act, but their interpretation of it. TALK
ABOUT NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THEORY.
Similarly, in Class Struggles in France, Marx highlights the importance of crisis in
sparking revolutionary change. In his writing, he places a special focus on the social
relations of production; he found it to be essential in accurately examining class
struggle and its implications. Moreover, he acknowledges the different class
fractions present within France at that time which included the industrial proletariat,
the petty bourgeoisie, the peasant class, as well as capital. While Marx believed that
capitalist societies would ultimately split into classes of capital and labor, his
sensitivity to the situation in France drew him to one conclusion: the proletariat
were exploiting the working class. TAKE ABOUT HOW EXPLOITATION LEADS TO
POLITICAL UNREST. THEN TALK ABOUT NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THEORY.

EQ: What other kinds of revolutions are there beside political revolutions?
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SOCIAL
RELIGIOUS

EQ: Are any such revolutions going on today?