Posted: September 4th, 2022

Is counter-revolution an obligatory response to revolution?

Is counter-revolution an obligatory response to revolution?
Most revolutions are normally followed by a counter-revolution. A revolution is a change in how people do things. A counter-revolution is a movement that seeks to reverse a revolution. Counter revolutionists greatly oppose revolutions. They seek to restore the initial state of affairs that prevailed before the revolution occurred.
The consequences of a revolution, determine whether a counter-revolution will occur. If the revolution brings about positive consequences to the people. It is hard for a counter-revolution to occur, for example, the Methodism revolution in Great Britain received no counter-revolution from the people because of its immense benefits. John Wesley who spearheaded the revolution, together with other Methodist followers. Built hospitals and schools. They also assisted the poor and the aged. They rejected gambling, this helped in eliminating secondary poverty.
Revolutions with positive consequences are hardly opposed. However, those with negative consequences that a certain section of the public dislike get counter-revolutions. Mostly, in politics, if a government that is disliked by the majority gets into power. The public holds counter-revolutions to restore the initial state of affairs. For instance, when the Napoleon army conquered Italy in the 18th century. A counter-revolution was held in all French client republics. Led by Cardinal Fabrizio, the Sanfedismo revolutionary movement overthrew the Parthenopean republic and enabled the Bourbon dynasty to get back to the king of Naples.
The consequences of a counter-revolution also differ. There are both positive and negative counter-revolutions. This depends on their advantages and disadvantages. Some counter-revolutions lead to the death of a massive number of people. Such counter-revolutions are negative, for instance, in south Italy, the peasants’ counter-revolution that was against national unification which was formed by the Bourbon government and the Papal States resulted in a civil war that lasted for ten years and led to the loss of lives. Agis and Cleomenes counter-revolution that helped restore the constitution of Lycurgus was viewed as positive by Plutarch.
Counter-revolutions are not an obligatory response to revolutions. The consequences of a revolution determine whether a counter-revolution will occur. If the positives are more than the negatives, there are fewer chances of a counter-revolution occurring. If the negatives are more than the positives. A counter-revolution is likely to occur. It all depends on those who are affected. Counter-revolutions are movements that try to overturn a revolution and get back to the pre-revolution era.
References
Marwick, Arthur. “The cultural revolution of the long sixties: voices of reaction, protest, and permeation.” The International History Review 27.4 (2005): 780-806.
Siegel, James T. A new criminal type in Jakarta: counter-revolution today. Duke University Press, 1998.

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