An interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-historical analysis
of three 20th-century non-Western revolutionary societies--China,
Mexico, and Iran--that 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.
General
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