The structures of the world-system are today challenged in various forms: the process of integration and unification in Latin America, including the proclamation of Socialism for the twenty-first century; the Islamic Revolution, which has been forming ties with the progressive governments of Latin America; and the occupy movement and the movements of the indignados in the core nations, which has included isolated calls for revolution, without necessarily having a well-developed understanding of what a revolution is. These dynamics are occurring at the time when the world-system confronts a structural crisis that global political institutions and authorities are unable to resolve.
In this historic moment, a necessary intellectual task is the study of the popular revolutions of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with the intention of arriving at an understanding of the essential characteristics of popular revolution. One revolution of significance for this task is the Russian Revolution.
Members of the list may find of relevance my blog postings since January 22 on the Russian Revolution. The posts include: The Russian Revolution (February), 1/22/2014; The Russian Revolution (October), 1/23/2014; The proletarian vanguard, 1/24/2014; The revolutionary party of the vanguard, 1/25/2014; A permanent global revolution, 1/27/2014; The role of the petit bourgeoisie, 1/28/2014; and Reflections on the Russian Revolution, 1/29/2014.
Look for the blog at the Global Learning Website, "The View from the South: Commentaries on world events from the Third World perspective." Find it at http://www.globallearning-cuba.com/blog-the-view-from-the-south.html.
Charles McKelvey
Professor Emeritus
Presbyterian College
Clinton, South Carolina
Research Affiliate
Center for US and Hemispheric Studies
University of Havana
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