Revolution

For the first time ever I saw today two words put together that to me belong together in certain circumstances.  They were mentioned by way of contrast – Revolution and rebellion.  Naturally to the purveyors of the current order any revolution is a rebellion.  But it seems to me revolutions are often justified because they attempt the removal of the favouring of those in power over those that are the subjects.  Often an abuse of power inspires revolution. “power abused justifies resistance” (Richard Price).
That is why, no matter what I call it, the resistance in France to the Nazi Germans was justified.  Some German participants were merely following orders and others were died in the wool Nazi’s.  Whatever they were, they were all the enemy.  That abuse of power was to be resisted.
Unfortunately it is often the case that a revolution just changes tyrants.  The October Revolution in Russia overthrew the Tsar but what took its place ended up just as undesirable.  There have been revolutions in Africa that has just seen the replacement of one bad apple with another.  The Prague spring was an attempted revolution in Czechoslovakia which was put down by the Soviet Union.
Not all revolutions are successful but those that are, are often spectacularly so.  Gandhi may have led India to independence, but he led a revolution in India.  In the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos departed due to the People Power Revolution.   The communist party was overthrown in Czechoslovakia due to the Velvet Revolution.
As it seems in all things, no revolution should be contemplated if one does not have the means to see it to a successful conclusion.  The powers that be may be corrupt but only a greater force can prevail.  Often if it does not, many are made to pay.
Depending on a person’s world view, rebellion on the other hand, is often seen as negative.  But to me, it seems it really depends on what I am rebelling against.  If it is something just and proper I am rebelling against, and I am merely after power, then to me, I deserve to be hung up and quartered (at best).  If though, I rebel against injustice and corruption, I am engaged in what I perceive is a worthy rebellion.
We say “they are a bit of a rebel.”  To me that is desirable if what is being rebelled against is an injustice.  Personally, I have no desire to be labelled a “rebel.”  I am happy enough to rebel in my own quiet way when the cause is just.  Generally though, it is not something I will proclaim.  Talk is cheap anyway.  It is actions that speak.