States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia and China

An ongoing free offering

A close reading of Theda Skocpol’s States and Social Revolutions
Convened with Sam Salour

States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia and China is a 1979 book by political scientist and sociologist Theda Skocpol, published by Cambridge University Press, which explains the causes of social revolutions. In the book, Skocpol performs a comparative historical analysis of the French Revolution of 1789 through the early 19th century, the Russian Revolution of 1917 through the 1930s and the Chinese Revolution of 1911 through the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Skocpol argues that social revolutions occurred in these states because of the simultaneous occurrence of state breakdown and peasant revolution at the same time.

Skocpol asserts that social revolutions are rapid and basic transformations of a society’s state and class structures. She distinguishes this from mere rebellions, which involve a revolt of subordinate classes but may not create structural change, and from political revolutions that may change state structures but not social structures. What is unique about social revolutions, she argues, is that basic changes in social structure and political structure occur in a mutually reinforcing fashion and these changes occur through intense sociopolitical conflict. A convergence of peasant rebellion on one hand and international pressures causing state breakdown on the other hand cause revolutionary social movements.

The book was highly influential in the study of revolutions, and has been credited with ushering in a new paradigm. All who register will be put in touch with Sam for information on obtaining reading material.

No prerequisites nor any preparation is required. As stated above, ADMISSION IS FREE.

info@marxedproject.org for more information and other events and classes.

Zoom info for these sessions: https://ucsb.zoom.us/j/84694992151