In what ways are rebellions caused by the rise of new forms of collective identity Essay Example

In what ways are rebellions caused by the rise of new forms of collective identity? Essay The periods leading up to both the French and Russian revolutions were laced with relatively new and radical ideas which were calling for widespread social change. The most notable of ideas were those of the philosophes of the Enlightenment during the late 17th and 18th centuries and the communist ideals produced by Marx and Engels in The Communist Manifesto published in 1848. These ideas helped encourage and inform rising forms of collective identity in both countries. Collective identities, however, are also inspired and developed further by other factors and revolutions are often the result of the culmination of these elements. The most important factors which caused the rebellions in France and Russia include: the leadership of the political party or group which is calling for change, economic problems and social or political issues. There has been much historical debate over the extent to which collective identity itself causes rebellion and the debate will, no doubt, continue as there are viable arguments for and against. One fact, however, remains constant; as Gustav Le Bon discussed, the fact that crowds of disgruntled citizens will display a degree of mass madness which certainly fuels revolution to an extent.1 Historian Alan Woods also highlighted the importance of the masses in his article, The French Revolution, by saying A careful study of the French and Russian revolutions provides a complete antidote to the slander that revolutions are the work of tiny handfuls of conspirators and demagogues.2 We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways are rebellions caused by the rise of new forms of collective identity? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways are rebellions caused by the rise of new forms of collective identity? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways are rebellions caused by the rise of new forms of collective identity? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In order to explain how the rise of collective identity fits into the framework of revolution, one must first look at why people choose to become part of such groups and why they act more violently within the group dynamic than they would individually. There are a few key psychological concepts which relate to this sense of collective identity and these are completely regardless of time and place, they are simply characteristics of human nature. De-individuation is an important factor because it can cause people [to] express aggression with a viciousness that would be inconceivable if they acted in isolation3. As is the idea of group polarization where groups of people take more risks and are more willing to make extreme decisions within that group than the members would be individually. Finally, the theory of groupthink describes how a split in the group is downplayed if there is an external threat.4 These external threats and the common goal of the group are of great importance to their success in causing a rebellion to initiate their desired social or political change. These ideas are important to bear in mind when discussing the role of collective identity in causing the French and Russian revolutions. Whilst some historians claim that there is not a direct link between the Enlightenment of the late 17th and 18th centuries and the French Revolution, it has to be acknowledged that the ideas that were developed during that period did play an indirect role in causing the French Revolution of 1789 -1799. The Enlightenment created an Age of Reason which raised a lot of questions about issues including politics and the social organisation of man. Three of the key philosophes during the French Enlightenment were Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau. The latters book, Social Contract, published in 1762, was a text many of the French revolutionaries read in the period leading up to the revolution and Voltaire was the most widely read who was demanding protection from the nobility.

Reality Vs. Idealism Essays - Fiction, Literature, Free Essays

Reality Vs. Idealism Essays - Fiction, Literature, Free Essays Reality Vs. Idealism In the short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce quickly drifted from realism in the beginning of the story to idealism throughout the rest of the selection. Immediately before Peyton experiences his first idealistic event, Bierce described a realistic thought on how Peyton closed his eyes and attempted to fix his final thoughts on his loved ones, his wife and children. Bierce described an idealistic observation by the main character, Peyton as he explained how he could see the intricate details through the vibrancy of the leaves of trees on the riverbank. As the story goes on Bierce often refers to the soldiers, the captain, the sergeant, the two privates, and his executioners as monsters. He refers to their movements as grotesque and horrible and their size gigantic. As Peyton tore off the noose around his neck and thrust it aside vigorously, he described how the movements of his hands resembled the movements of a water snake. As Peyton began on his final thoug hts reality faded quickly to an unrealistic point of view, or state of mind. Bierce described an unrealistic, super natural sort of power that Peyton obtained as he emerged from the stream. At that moment Peyton was in full possession of his physical senses and could feel and understand things never before perceived. The first sense that he had noticed was his amplified sight and his perception living things. From the stream he noticed the distinct colors in the dewdrops upon the blades of grass. He could see from across the bank, the gray spiders connecting their webs from twig to twig. As he noticed the veining of each leaf on the trees he also observed every little insect upon them. He could see everything as if it was in slow motion and amplified to the creators explanation of how and what steps he took to paint his master piece. Bierce described his second unrealistic encounter as his sense of hearing being amplified, as to hear every little sound, far and near. As Bierce described in his unique, highly descriptive style of writing, Peyton could hear the humming of the gnats that danced above the eddies of the stream. Most human beings are incapable of hearing a gnat fly and roam about, for its size and muted humming is no louder than a pin dropped on a rug. He could hear the flapping of the dragonflies wings and the strokes of the water spiders as they ventured through the stream. He described all these lucid sounds as audible music. Peytons hearing was remarkably and quixotically amplified beyond any human beings capability. The way Bierce described Peytons super natural powers, so to say was so detailed and full of imagery. As Peyton once again emerged to the top of the stream the soldiers or in Peytons point of view, monsters, were all aimed directly at him ready to shoot on command. As the commander ordered his men to fire Peyton dove deep into the stream and was shot between his collarbone and neck, which he so simply pulled right out with no pain or blood. Bierce describes how Peyton thought with the rapidity of lightening. These are yet more super natural, unreal descriptions of the visions and superhero like qualities. Bierce explains Peytons adventure of escape and idealistic traits in such a believable way that if it wasnt so exaggerated it could very well be mistaken as reality. As Peyton was being hanged the idealistic events began to occur. Bierce described through the nearly the whole story how Peyton experiences super natural powers such as, amplified sight, hearing, the ability to remove a bullet with such ease that he simply snatches it right out, and highly sensitive touch. Bierce told of how he escaped through his five senses being recorded in a way that no man would ever perceive. As the story ends and Peyton is still hanging high above the river, with a noose around his neck, idealism once again fades into reality.

Religious Conflicts in Lebanon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Religious Conflicts in Lebanon - Essay Example Moreover, there is conflict between the Sunni Muslim majority and the Shiite Muslim minority who been engaged in conflict for a long time and up to date, they are not at peace with each other. The Druze is another distinct fraction in Lebanon, they are also the minority in Lebanese society, and they have been into conflict with the Christians in the 1840s when the country was known as Mount Lebanon. Until today, there is tension between these religious groups as they are trying to build a stable democracy. It can be therefore noted that the chaos among religious groups in Lebanon is as a result of failure to establish a working power sharing system between these groups. This paper explores the religious conflict in Lebanon and it is organized in three sections. The first section presents sectarianism in Lebanon, followed by an analysis of the root of the conflict, identifying the actors and their interests. Lastly, the paper discusses possible solutions and consequences of different policy solutions. Mostly, the conflict in Lebanon is presented as a sectarian conflict, which involves the moderate Christians and the extremist Muslims (â€Å"Troubles a test†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Apart from religious differences between the Christians and the Muslims, there is also conflict within the Muslim community, between the Sunnis and the Shiites. The Muslim society was divided in Sunni and the Shiite because of the power struggle over succession (Tomass 714). The entire population including the Christians and Muslims speak Arabic language; however, sectarianism is a dominant socio-political reality in Lebanese society despite the features they have in common. Sectarianism is not a new in Lebanon, historical Lebanon also called Mount Lebanon used to be shared mainly by Druzes and the Maronites. They did not coexist in peace and harmony as they fought over land ownership and distribution of political power among other issues. But these two groups have coexisted in harmony until the