Revolutions

Do you think that this model can be accurately applied to the revolutionary movements occurring today - such as Egypt? – Explain Yes, I do believe that the fever model of revolution can be applied to revolutionary movements occurring today (specifically in much of the Muslim world today). The only notable difference is that each stage in the revolution process is starting to speed up. For instance, while the incubation stage still exists, it has become much easier in the modern world to disseminate ideas and beliefs throughout a society through the advent of new, and instant social media. Organizers of protests in Egypt, for example, relied heavily upon sites like Facebook and Twitter to stir an uprising within weeks. These new social media sites have become essential tools of organizing and maintaining protests as well. Within weeks, governments in Tunisia and Egypt have toppled, subjected to the full power of the people. When considering other historical revolutions, the fact that these Arab nations have been able to depose their strongman leaders within a span of weeks is nothing short of remarkable. New social media, and instant connections have truly allowed the will of the majority and the will of the people to be heard on an unprecedented scale. However, in places like Libya, where leader Muammar Gaddafi has been in power for over four decades, the process seems to be following a more traditional time scale. This is due partly to the fact that there has been almost a complete technology shutdown; there are no working cell phones or Internet access in Libya’s two largest cities, Benghazi and Tripoli. In Libya, anti-government protestors have had to resort to more traditional forms of organization and protest (as well as having to deal with resistance from Gadhafi loyalists). Still, the fever model of revolution can still model all revolutions, even today, even if the pace that these revolutions are carried out has increased. Perhaps rather than using the flu as the model, it would be more appropriate to compare revolutions today to bacterial meningitis, which can kill its victim within hours.