Understanding Revolution

This volume seeks to re-evaluate the contribution of revolutions to the formation of modern, industrial societies and it questions whether ideas of revolution are still relevant in the postmodern and globalised world of the 21st century. Featuring contributions from some of the world's leading sociological and political thinkers on revolution, this book combines theoretical concerns with a variety of detailed case studies of individual revolutions. Subjects covered include: Democracy and revolution from 1789 to 1989 Twentieth century revolutions and theories of revolution, including Marxism, modernisation and structuralist theories Revolution in the "Third World" and the variable geometry of the paths to modernity Islamic revolutions and modernity The 1989 revolutions as "democratic revolutions" or "elite-led transitions" Globalisation, the nation-state and revolution Empire and "democratic revolution" Network society and revolution Islamic fundamentalism, international terrorism and revolution Democratic revolution as a new form of revolution Postmodern theories of revolution New social movements, identities and new figures of revolution This is a significant contribution to the study of revolution and is essential reading for all students and scholars of the issue. Contributors: Asef Bayat; John Barber; Robin Blackburn; Alex Callinicos; John Dunn; Jeff Goodwin; Fred Halliday; John Hogan; Krishan Kumar; Ching Kwan Lee; Antonio Negri; Valentine M. Moghadam; Eric Selbin; Mark Selden; Geran Therborn; Harald WydraForan is the author of 'Understanding Revolution' with ISBN 9780415771832 and ISBN 0415771838.