States, Ideologies, and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of Iran, Nicaragua, and the Philippines

by Misagh Parsa

• ISBN13: 9780521774307
• ISBN10: 0521774306
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-11
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Between 1979 and 1986 Iran, Nicaragua, and the Philippines underwent dramatic political and social revolutions. This book examines the conditions and processes that gave rise to revolutions and their outcomes, through an in-depth analysis of economic and political developments in these countries. The book studies the background to revolution provided by state formation and development, economic intervention, the states' vulnerabilities, and the social consequences of their development policies. Extensive primary data is used to analyze the impact of the collective actions and ideologies of the major social groups involved - students, clergy, workers, and capitalists - and how they affected the potential for a successful revolutionary outcome. Parsa challenges prevailing theories of social revolution and develops an alternative model that incorporates variables from a wide variety of perspectives. His book provides a valuable framework within which to understand the causes of revolutions, their mechanics and development, and their outcomes.

Table of Contents

List of tables	viii
Preface	ix
Part I: Theory and structural background
Toward a theory of revolution: linking structure and process approaches	3	(26)
Conflict and the making of exclusive rule	29	(26)
State intervention and contradictions	55	(39)
Part II: Mobilization and collective action
Prelude	89	(5)
Students: relentless revolutionaries	94	(36)
Clergy: actors with relative impunity	130	(32)
Workers: rebels with dual targets	162	(35)
Capitalists: reluctant rebels	197	(42)
Part III: Outcomes and conclusions
Coalitions, challengers, and political outcomes	239	(40)
Summary and conclusions	279	(17)
Bibliography	296	(20)
Index	316