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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