Week 7 Discussion Questions

What does the J-curve describe in Davies’ theory? Why is Davies’ theory of relative deprivation not a persuasive theory of revolution? Evaluate the theory (things to think about: is there a causal claim? Is it valid? Is it generalizable and to what extent? How rigorous are the standards of evidence; is the theory empirically well supported? What are the assumptions underwriting this theory and are they tenable? Is it parsimonious?)

Davies applies the same theory to a state-level suffrage movement in the United States and the Russian Revolution. In what ways are these cases comparable? Are there disadvantages to trying to theorize such a wide spectrum of events?

According to Foran, what differences in “political cultures of the opposition” led to different revolutionary outcomes in Nicaragua and El Salvador?

Voluntarist explanations are often specific to each case with n=1. Is Selbin’s explanation of revolution specific to Cuba? What elements of his explanation can be applied to other cases?

How does Skocpol define “social revolution”? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using such a narrow definition of revolution? Skocpol admits that there has only been a small handful of social revolutions in history. Why is it important to study such a small set of special events?

What is the role of international context in Skocpol’s theory? How is it different from the role of international context in Foran’s theory of revolution?

Can any of these theories of revolution successfully explain the fall of communism in Russia and Poland, or the cases of the Arab Spring?

Is democratization similar to revolution? How are they different?