Revolution from above
Encyclopedia
A revolution from above refers to major political and social changes that are imposed by an elite
on the population it dominates. By contrast, the plain term revolution
suggests that pressure from below is a major driving force in events, even if other social groups cooperate with — or ultimately capture —the movement. The phrase was coined by the Spanish writer Joaquín Costa
in the 19th century.
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
on the population it dominates. By contrast, the plain term revolution
Revolution
A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.Aristotle described two types of political revolution:...
suggests that pressure from below is a major driving force in events, even if other social groups cooperate with — or ultimately capture —the movement. The phrase was coined by the Spanish writer Joaquín Costa
Joaquin Costa
Joaquin Costa was a Spanish politician, lawyer, economist and historian....
in the 19th century.
Some Examples
- Enlightened Despotism in 18th-century Europe
- StalinJoseph StalinJoseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
's Collectivization of agriculture - White RevolutionWhite RevolutionThe White Revolution was a far-reaching series of reforms in Iran launched in 1963 by the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Mohammad Reza Shah’s reform program was built especially to strengthen those classes that supported the traditional system...
in IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...