Revolutions Occur when Governments Are Weak

The strength or weakness of a government can be viewed in two ways. Firstly it may be interpreted as being literally the extent to which the government has control over the internal security of the state and in general its ability to resist challenges from opposition groups. Alternatively a government can be viewed as being weak based on its poor decision making and its failure to protect the national interest. In relation to the former definition there is little to support the view that revolutions occur when governments are weak. There can be little doubt that revolutions are more likely to succeed when governments are weak, however revolutions occur for a range of far more complex reasons rather than simply the opportunity arising. For example the present government Ireland would have very limited ability to resist a well organised revolution, however it does not occur because few if any of the requirements necessary for a revolution are present. …