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Originally Posted by Eric5273
It is much more difficult in today's world to overthrow a government and have a sucessful revolution.
Back in the days of the American revolution, the entire revolution was won by an army of around 3500. There were actually more Americans fighting on the side of the British -- around 8000.
In 1917, the Russian revolution was won with a fighting force of a couple of thousand.
And in the 1950s, the Cuban revolution was won with a tiny force of a couple of hundred.
What made these revolutions successful was not the numbers or a superior fighting force, but the support among the general population for change.
The problem in today's world is that we now have radio, television -- a very powerful media. So such revolutionaries or "freedom fighters" are often demonized by the establishment and called "terrorists". As a result, even if the public is very dissatisfied with their government, they are unlikely to support such revolutionary movements. Governments have the ability to control thought through propoganda -- something that was much more difficult in the past.
In today's world Washington, Jefferson and Franklin would have been rounded up and sent to a Guantanamo-like prison, with the approval of the public.
Sad, but true.  |
Eric, you hit the nail right on the head !!! Today's mass media (#1 driver of all effective worldwide propaganda) is soooo intertwined with the REAL power-houses behind Governments (ALL powerful Governments, NO exceptions; Democratic, Right-wing, left-wing, Dictatoships, etc) that it's a totally different ballgame. The frightening power of mass-media is to me the most powerful single contributing factor to today's world being a place infinitely more dangerous and unstable than ever.
Extremely Sad indeed; Absolutely true.