Dr.

Than Lwin Oo
CDM Senior Lecturer, Department of International Relations and Political Science, Yangon University
President, Minority Affairs Institute (Myanmar)
Introduction
Unprivileged and dangerous to ruling or privileged class and highly
debated topic among the scholars

Part of the “Theory of Government and Constitution”, related to

lawlessness and turning (changing) the existing constitution of a state

Aristotle’s “Theory of Revolution” caught immense attention for the

establishment and sustainability of the state

After Plato’s death, he left Athens to conduct philosophical and biological

research.

In Athens, at this time (335–323 BCE) he wrote, or worked on, some of

his major treatises, including “the Politics”.

In the Politics, he presented the concept of the “Theory of Revolution”

Introduction
He defined revolution and described different causes of the revolution and suggested
remedies for the revolution

He believed Revolutions, at the end of the day, bring about a change, usually a radical
one in something
General Definition
“A Forcible Overthrow of A Government or Social Order, in
Favour of A New System”
Oxford Dictionary

Comes from the Latin language “Revolutio (a turn around)”

❖ Fundamental and relatively sudden change in political

power and political organization that occurs when the
population revolts against the government
➢ (due to perceived oppression or political incompetence)
Aristotle’s Definition
Cannot be regarded by purely an inference of armed conflict,
unless, it reversed (changed) the constitution of a state and
replaced with another principle of particular justice in the place of
existing one.
It means a complete change in the spirit of a state’s constitution,
and it involves new method of administration and a new principle
of distributary office
● economic order, a social order, an administrative order and
a judicial order
● Complete revolution means either a reversal of these orders
or radical change in these orders
● Only change in person of power-holder without changes in
these orders is “Incomplete Revolution”
If change has been brought without any armed conflict can be
regarded as “Bloodless Revolution”
Aristotle’s Definition
Revolution means “if any change occurs in the existing system
or constitution of the state”
For instance -
● Changed from a Monarchy to a Democratic System, it is a
Revolution
● Decision power has been moved from one party to another
is also a revolution
Aristotle expressed the theory of revolution at breadth and
length by studying almost 158 constitutions
He presented a scientific analysis and expert treatment to the
topic of revolution
Generally, revolution means a sudden, complete, or marked
change in something
Kinds of Revolution

According to Aristotle, there are various kinds of revolution. We will discuss four kinds of
them here -
1. Any prominent or minor change in the constitution of the state
a. Change in tyranny, oligarchy, or monarchy, and so on

2. Any change in ruling power regardless of the change in the government or in the
constitution
a. Creation of State Counsellor Position and Office (Above the President)

3. No change in the government or constitution but a change in the dimension or the

nature of the constitution or government
a. Setting up of Governance and Inclusion of Stakeholders in Decision Making Process

4. Either indirect or direct, by affecting a specific institution

a. Inherent Power, Rejection of Military Role
Causes of Revolution
Two main causes -
❖ General Causes
❖ Particular Causes
General Causes
The basic and natural desire of is to be treated equal
● They always against the privileges and superior position of
the few and want to do away with the existing system
● Absence of balanced equality, no fair deal, and lack of
justice splits the city (state) into factions
● More equality more stability - “Particularly, middle class
people shall be less inequality, hence very little chances of
revolution”
Therefore, the main cause of is “Inequality”
Causes of Revolution
It happens when the political system fails in the equal
dispersion (sharing) of resources and consequently,
pressures emerge in the class structure, in the end leading
to the revolutions
Contentions (arguments) over equality are at the core of
the revolution
● Tribes, Ethnics, Minorities, Class
The cause of revolution is driven by the (unethical) desire of
those who quest for the possessing property, which is
actually the property of their opponents (publics)
When the people are devoid of equality, they think about
revolution.
Causes of Revolution
Particular causes are as following

❖ 1. Unlawful possession of officials detriment of the individual or of

the general population
❖ 2. When men or groups are dishonoured or lack of respect,
whereas they see others acquiring respect that they do not
deserve
➢ Serious threat to Solidarity and Unity

❖ 3. Power approved to only one or few people

➢ Lead to tyranny of few against vast majority and ultimately resulted way for
revolution

❖ 4. Misuse of authority and attitude of defame and disgrace to the

people
➢ Cause resentment to promote the spirit of revolution

❖ 5. Fear is authentic and most exceedingly awful adversary of man

➢ It upsets peace of mind and stimulate revolution
Causes of Revolution
❖ 6. Widening gap in development, social, economic, political and so on among the states, and
public
❖ 7. Guilty of doing wrong deeds to cover misuse of their actions, create hate, displeasure and
dislike among the people
❖ 8. Careless admission of corrupt and unfaithful officers to civil and military
❖ 9. Dishonest methods in elections
❖ 10. The rivalry among the several races (ethnics)
❖ 11. Excessive and irrational use of forces to the public
❖ 12. Dynamic clashes also pave the way for revolution
❖ 12. Neglect of minor changes can also leads to revolution
❖ 13. Free flow of immigrants may lead to revolution
❖ 14. The conquest of one nation by another nation
Revolution in Particular Kind of State
1. States with Democracy (Ruled by People)
2. States with Oligarchy (Ruled by Small Group)
3. States with Aristocracies (Ruled by Hereditary Class)

Democracies - Excessive use of power and unwarranted rich by the demagogues

Oligarchies - Rivalry and dissensions (conflicts) among ruling oligarchies or oppressive

and dictatorial nature

Aristocracy - Revolutions are led by those who are denied honours which are conferred
only on the few

Revolution in monarchy and Tyranny are caused by two factors -

● Oppressive behavior of the rulers, personal insult caused by rulers
● Influence of the foreign state of opposite character

Generally, states with defective (imperfect) balance of the different elements in the constitution,
revolutions may erupt due to mal-admixture of the oligarchic and democratic elements
General Measures to Prevent Revolution
❖ In addition to the causes for revolution, he also outlines the measures in preventing
revolution
➢ Based on his knowledge of the existing constitution and desire for stable government

★ 1. Effort must be made to gain confidence of all the sections of society by eliminating injustice
and treating all classes with fair consideration
○ All the officers must be open to all on the basis of merit and not treated as monopoles

★ 2. Cultivate and maintain spirit of law abidingness among the citizens

○ Violation of law should be treated seriously

★ 3. Citizens must have necessary education in the spirit of constitution to know how the
constitution works (political awareness)
○ They would adjust according to the constitution and little possibility of revolution

★ 4. Even the unimportant probabilities in the status quo must be seriously observed and
attended to, because their neglect can result in complete revolution
★ 5. No person or class of persons must be allowed to assume too much of power
○ This likely to encourage him to neglect the interest of weaker sections.
General Measures to Prevent Revolution
❖ 6. The government offices should not be permitted
to become sources of gain or rich
➢ Efforts must be made to check bribery and other illegal
methods.

❖ 7. Public officers should not be granted on

permanent basis and higher offices should be
awarded for short duration
➢ Power for long time can prove dangerous and security of the
country, less important offices for reasonably longer periods

❖ 8. Promotions to political posts must be gradual

➢ Quick and sudden promotions are likely to lead to resentment

❖ 9. Important positions should not be given to

outsiders and strangers
➢ They cannot feel much concerned about the welfare of the
state as native
General Measures to Prevent Revolution
Public
❖ 10. Must keep the spirit of patriotism alive among
the citizens
❖ 11. Inequalities of wealth and honours, drive men
to rebellion
➢ The rewards and offices should be distributed as widely as
possible
➢ Nobody should feel the honours and political offices are
not meant for them and it can be attained only on merit

❖ 12. The details of administration, particularly those

of public finance should be open to public security
➢ This gives lot of popularity to the government and gives a
feeling that officials are not exploiting their position.
Methods to Deter Revolution
❖ In democracy the rich must be allowed to
participate in administration of the country,
rather than redistribute their owned
properties
❖ In Aristocracy and Oligarchy the people
must be treated with fairness and no single
or group of persons should be permitted to
become too powerful
➢ Administration must be done by the poor people
(Middle Class)
➢ Revolution can be prevented by the proper
mixture (blend) of democratic and oligarchic
elements
Methods to Deter Revolution
Under the Tyranny - 8. By participating in public worship and religious
ceremonies of people by showing respect for their
1. By providing good espionage system which includes
women spies religious sentiments.

2. By following policy of aggression and expansion 9. By enlisting as large social support as possibly

3. By creating a constant threat and danger from the 10. By earning reputation for military virtues (Nobleness)
powerful enemy among the masses
11. By creating an awe (Fear and Wonder) in the minds of
4. By developing intellectual life of the citizens.
people by leading luxury life and glamour (attractiveness)
5. By keeping people busy with non-political activities
12. By showing favours personally but punishing through
6. By keeping people poor so that they constantly face others
economic problems.
13. By personally favours on others to gain popularity.
7. By creating sense of hostility and distrust on various
sections of the people 14. By chopping (cut) off the heads of inconvenient
❖ Busy in mutual wrangles (Disputes) cannot think of
powerful leaders
revolving against ruler.
Conclusion
- What is Revolution?
- Types of Revolution
- Causes of Revolution - (General and Particular Causes)
- Types of State, in which possibility of revolution
- Methods to prevent Revolution