In this blog post, we revisit the essence and purpose of revolution, exploring together the right direction for change toward a healthy society.
In Chapter 18: A Permanent Revolution of Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens, the author states:
“In the past, the social order rested on firm foundations that did not change. Over the last few centuries, however, the idea of revolution – of a completely new social order – has become a key principle of our political and social life.”
Reading this passage, I suddenly found myself asking: Among the countless revolutions erupting almost daily today, which ones can truly contribute to laying the foundation for a healthier society? And in this turbulent current, what should we truly be reflecting on?
Modern society is an era where words like ‘revolution,’ ‘reform,‘ and ‘cleansing of deep-rooted evils’ abound. But what exactly is this ‘revolution’ they speak of? What is its true nature, and how are we actually embracing it?
In the East, ‘revolution’ literally means ‘to change the mandate.’ The ‘Son of Heaven’ is appointed to carry out the will of the celestial realm—the ‘mandate of Heaven’—on earth. If he proves unfit, Heaven withdraws its mandate and appoints another in his place. Revolution is the act of renewing and re-reflecting this celestial will upon the human world. It signifies correcting humanity’s flawed order and restoring it to the principles of Heaven’s mandate.
The term ‘revolution’ in the West also has an intriguing etymology. Derived from the Latin ‘revolutio’, it originally described the orbital motion of celestial bodies. It carried the meaning that celestial bodies revolve according to fixed rules, maintaining order, and that humans must live in harmony with these laws. It was in mid-15th century England that the term became established to signify a sudden change in social order, and its meaning expanded significantly after the Glorious Revolution (1688).
Thus, the concept of ‘revolution’ originating in both East and West, while superficially different, shares a surprising commonality at its deepest roots: homeostasis. Revolution is a movement of restoration, returning the world’s disorder and corruption to a right state. It is akin to how new flesh grows only after a wound festers and causes pain; it is the process of regaining a healthy order through a painful and chaotic journey.
So, what form should a healthy revolution take? Crane Brinton’s The Anatomy of Revolution, considered a classic on the subject, offers a clue. Analyzing the common tendencies of major world revolutions—including those in the United States, France, Britain, and Russia—he states that revolutions typically proceed through six stages. These are: ‘economic crisis, defection of the intelligentsia, violent suppression, paralysis of the means of control, internal division of the ruling organization, and negative collapse.’ Observing this process reveals that revolution is not merely a movement to realize ideals, but an inevitable social upheaval accompanied by chaos and disorder. On this path, tangled with countless sacrifices, blood, and despair, there is one thing we must always remember: the ‘original intent’.
The resolute will to improve the oppression, inequality, absurdity, and corruption endured by the people, and the aspiration to steer society toward greater justice. Only when these primal motivations of revolution are maintained to the end can the revolution be considered healthy. Some may argue that a nonviolent revolution, one in which everyone can participate peacefully, is most desirable. But if a revolution does not involve tension, conflict, and sometimes even confrontation, can it truly be called a revolution? A revolution devoid of pain, debate, resistance, and backlash may lack its very essence.
If a revolution, having forgotten its original purpose, gets swept up in the currents of agitation and emotion and drifts off course, it risks repeating past mistakes and turning the sacrifices of its victims into a tragedy.
The French Revolution is a prime example. This revolution is widely recognized as a symbol of the modern civic movement, enshrining citizens’ rights in the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man’ and aiming to dismantle the irrationalities of the feudal class system and land ownership. At the time, the French Bourbon monarchy perpetrated absurdities and inequalities across politics, economics, and society, prompting progressives to target the absolute power and the class system itself.
However, I assess the French Revolution as an unhealthy revolution. The reason is not simply the destruction or sacrifices that occurred during the process. Rather, the problem lies in the ‘loss of purpose’ that occurred during that process. Peasants set fire to the mansions of the nobility and tore up property deeds, declaring the symbolic dismantling of power. Yet, gradually, this revolution became engulfed in madness. Opponents were executed indiscriminately. Amid the revolutionary fervor, the “Revolutionary Tribunal” was established. Even Robespierre, the “Guardian of the Revolution,” intoxicated by power, led a reign of terror before ultimately meeting his own end on the guillotine.
The revolution toppled the monarchy and dreamed of a republic, yet its end saw the elevation of another powerful figure, Napoleon, as head of state, leading the nation back down the path to empire. This contradiction—a revolution meant to overthrow a feudal monarchy culminating in another absolute power—clearly demonstrates the consequences when revolutionary forces forget their goals and succumb to the allure of power. Brinton pointed out that the essence of revolution can be easily distorted, emphasizing that revolution must have clearly defined objectives that are constantly revisited.
Now we must turn our gaze to our own society. Today, various forms of revolutionary movements are emerging in South Korea. Korean society exhibits a particularly strong tendency toward collective conformity. This characteristic has been confirmed by the research of the renowned social psychologist G. Hofstede. The phenomenon where specific clothing, hairstyles, or residential styles rapidly spread nationwide once they become popular signifies more than just consumer trends. Sometimes, this collective cohesion also becomes the driving force behind ‘revolution’ in social movements or political actions.
A prime example is the 2016 ‘Candlelight Revolution’. When allegations surfaced that Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye, had interfered in state affairs, nationwide citizen protests erupted, ultimately leading to the president’s impeachment and arrest. This revolution, clearly achieved through citizens’ voluntary participation and peaceful demonstrations, was a symbolic event showcasing the maturity of South Korean democracy.
However, even within this process, there were scenes that deviated from the original intent. The media gradually fell into a competition for sensationalist reporting, and some citizens resorted to crude mockery, degrading the president’s private life to a pornographic level. With the circulation of pornographic material featuring photoshopped faces, emotions of anger and hatred began to take precedence over rational judgment. While there was justified anger over the abuse of power by the shadow power brokers, it is questionable whether the manner in which this anger was expressed aligned with the original intent of the Candlelight Revolution, which was the ‘peaceful eradication of corruption’.
Furthermore, with the recent activation of online platforms and the growth of civic consciousness, various forms of movements are actively taking place. Among them, the ‘Me Too Movement’ has made a significant contribution to raising awareness of gender equality and human rights. However, the Me Too movement in our society has sometimes been consumed in ways diverging from its original meaning. Some extreme claims and false accusations have undermined the movement’s authenticity and credibility, fostering hatred and confrontation between men and women. Consequently, the ‘real victims’ who sought to report their actual harm were once again forced into silence.
Thus, social movements and revolutions unfolding across diverse fields must be grounded in rigorous reflection on their very essence. Precisely in an era where public voices grow louder and speaking out becomes more natural, we must constantly ask: ‘Why are we undertaking this movement?’ and ‘What direction does this movement point toward?’
For our society to sustain a healthy revolution, we need rational judgment and discussion that avoids emotional bias while staying true to the original purpose. It is our duty to safeguard the movement’s authenticity, resisting distorted information and manipulation. With the awareness that each small step we take shapes the world future generations will inhabit, we must carefully examine social issues and participate in the movement with a responsible attitude. May we clarify the essence of revolution and realize a better society in a desirable manner.
