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.