Revolution and the Millennium: China, Mexico, and Iran

(Hardback)

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An interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-historical analysis of three 20th-century non-Western revolutionary societiesChina, Mexico, and Iranthat were profoundly impinged upon by European and American imperialism. The study explores the role of apocalyptic beliefs in radical movements bent on sociopolitical transformation. It concludes that millennial expectations performed important and similar preparatory, leadership, and therapeutic functions in each case. Millenarian movements are powerful and emotional social movements that expect an immediate, collective, total, this-worldly, supernatural salvation and transformation of society. They anticipate the complete destruction of the existing sociopolitical and economic order, which they assert will be followed by a new and perfect society. This study provides an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-historical analysis of three 20th-century non-Western revolutionary societies that were profoundly impinged upon by European and American imperialism. It seeks to explore the functional role of millenarianism in these three revolutions. In all three cases, millenarianism prepared the way for revolutionary transformation. It acted as a catalyst for action among that group of the most ardent revolutionists who were willing to pay any price to achieve what they were convinced was the inevitable goal of a utopian society. Millenarianism created the potential for charismatic leadership to emerge. It functioned as a doctrinal platform that awaited the opportunity to elevate a prophetic revolutionary leader to take control. Finally, millenarianism performed a therapeutic, identity, and cathartic function by providing the doctrinal foundation and an effective organization for a social healing process to take place. A challenge to conventional arguments on the origins and outcomes of revolutions, this study will be of great interest to scholars and researchers in comparative politics, sociology, and religion.

Reviews

"This will become a standard work on the role of apocalyptic beliefs in revolution."-Michael Barkun Syracuse University
[t]his is a useful book....If you dont rely on this book as a major source of insight on these revolutions, but as a useful examination of one aspect, it is a solid contribution.-The Journal of Politics
Rinehart is to be generously credited for the wealth of information that he has collected about these three cultures. Revolution and the Millennium is exceedingly detailed and eruditely annotated.-The Journal of Conflict Studies
Rinehart's overall presentation of the connection between revolution and millenarianism is impressive. For advanced students of the topics he deals with, I might put Rinehart's book among a list of such recommended readings as Guenther Lewy's Religion and Revolution and Ruth Ann Wilner's The Spellbinders: Charismatic Political Leadership, university libraries should acquire it. A paperback edition priced in line with the book's brevity would facilitate making it required reading in various comparative politics courses.-Perspectives on Political Science
"this is a useful book....If you dont rely on this book as a major source of insight on these revolutions, but as a useful examination of one aspect, it is a solid contribution."-The Journal of Politics
"[t]his is a useful book....If you dont rely on this book as a major source of insight on these revolutions, but as a useful examination of one aspect, it is a solid contribution."-The Journal of Politics
"Rinehart is to be generously credited for the wealth of information that he has collected about these three cultures. Revolution and the Millennium is exceedingly detailed and eruditely annotated."-The Journal of Conflict Studies
"Rinehart's overall presentation of the connection between revolution and millenarianism is impressive. For advanced students of the topics he deals with, I might put Rinehart's book among a list of such recommended readings as Guenther Lewy's Religion and Revolution and Ruth Ann Wilner's The Spellbinders: Charismatic Political Leadership, university libraries should acquire it. A paperback edition priced in line with the book's brevity would facilitate making it required reading in various comparative politics courses."-Perspectives on Political Science

Author Bio

JAMES F. RINEHART is Assistant Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in International Relations, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Troy State University, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He has written extensively on millenarianism and revolution.