What is a revolution - Essay Example

What is a Revolution A revolution, if we look at the Merriam Webster on-line dictionary definition, is multi-faceted, but each facet of the definition centers around a body, celestial or otherwise, rotating in a fashion that causes it to be parallel to its axis; or, it’s a social definition, that involves bringing about change in the “political organization,” of an entity, “…especially the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the ruled (Merriam Webster on-line).

It is the latter that shall be discussed in this paper (although the first could, in a surrealistic way, be forced to fit the latter). From whatever direction you approach it, revolution implies a need to consider the historical events before, during, and after a revolution. What were the precipitating factors that brought about the people’s call for change? How did they proceed to bring about the change? Did the change in fact accomplish the goals in the changes it brought about?There are many good examples of revolution to be considered; the French Revolution, the events of which began in 1787, when the call for change rang out among the French; and ended in 1799, with a new Constitution.

Another famous revolution is the American Revolution, which lead to America’s independence from England. A revolution, which has not yet been identified as a revolution, and is one that, while it has been extensively discussed by notable authors and journalists such as Bernard Lewis, in his 2005 commentary entitled Freedom and Justice in the Modern Middle East; is perhaps better known as the War on Terrorism; is the Muslim Islamic revolution that has been ongoing since the time of the Prophet Mohammad (Lewis 1-26).

“…Muslims – particularly those in the Middle East – have suffered new experiences that have transformed their vision of themselves and the world and reshaped the language in which they discuss it (1).” The experience of Muslims includes the occupation of Egypt by Napoleon, in 1798 (2). The social norms and French law that Napoleon brought with him and attempted to apply to Egypt’s Muslims, were in stark contrast to the laws of Islam (2). “The Koran,” Lewis writes, “for example, makes it clear that there is a duty of obedience: ‘Obey God, obey the Prophet, obey those who hold authority over you (6).

’” The Koran also gives instructions concerning under what conditions, in case those conditions are not already made clear by the three previously cited dictates; by saying, “’there is no obedience in sin (6).’” In other words, making all Muslims responsible for resisting any authority held over them which is in opposition to the laws of Islam (6). “This is more than the right of the revolution that appears in Western political thought (6),” Lewis writes, “It is a duty of revolution, or at least of disobedience and opposition to authority (6).

” Since the time of Napoleon’s occupation of Egypt, the Middle East has fallen under the influence and government of France, Nazi Germany (when France surrendered to Germany during World War II), England, and the Soviet Union; each bringing its own brand of law and influence to an Islamic people and tradition, and whose law and influence was, again, in stark contrast to the law of Islam (14). While Muslim leadership in the Middle East has recognized the need to modernize itself, and interpret Islamic law in accordance with modern times; certain other forces, such as the various Islamic fundamentalist groups against whom the United States has declared a War on Terror; struggle to defy the application of a westernized interpretation to the Koran, and stand firm on the contention that the Koran continue to be interpreted in its literal meaning, which lends itself to a place and time of ancient interpretation of the document (16).

The revolution between traditional Islam and Western democracy continues today.Works CitedBrown, G. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of History. 2003. Resources on the French Revolution. French Revolution: A Chronology. 10 February 2006. .Lewis, B. Freedom and Justice in the Modern Middle East.” 28 April 2005. Commentary, Real Clear Politics. 10 February 2006. .Merriam Webster On-Line Dictionary. 10 February 2006. ..