#1795 You Say You Want A Revolution: Successful Revolutions are the Boring Ones

#1795 You Say You Want A Revolution: Successful Revolutions are the Boring Ones

Author: Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics May 27, 2026 Duration: 3:55:12

Air Date: 5–26-2026

Today we examine what separates successful revolutions from failed ones, ask why so many revolutions of the 2010s fell short, understand how revolutionary energy gets neutralized, and explore the strategic case for nonviolent resistance.

Full Show Notes

Transcript

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: What Makes a Revolution Successful? - The Inquiry - Air Date 5-16-18

KP 2: Left Behind: the Failed Revolutions of the 2010s - The Politics Show - Air Date 2-5-24

KP 3: Is The US In Its French Revolution Era? - Leeja Miller - Air Date 5-13-26

KP 4: How Progress Erases Itself - Dan Harumi - Air Date 5-18-26

KP 5: Why Nonviolence Wins - Degenerate Art by Andrea Pitzer - Air Date 5-14-26


(00:54:11) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Why the Left Keeps Losing to the Right


DEEPER DIVES

(01:13:12) SECTION A: ANATOMY OF FAILURE

A1: Lessons From a Decade of Failed Revolutions - Front Burner - Air Date 1-2-24

A2: Why Revolutions Fail - Hello Future Me - Air Date 9-9-23

A3: How and Why Revolutions Occur - LegalKimchi - Air Date 12-12-22

A4: Difference Between a Coup and a Revolution? - Sean Munger - Air Date 1-12-21


(01:54:11) SECTION B: REVISITING THE RECORD

B1: What Was the Iranian Revolution Really About? With Scott Anderson - Intelligence Squared - Air Date 11-2-25

B2: "Counter-Revolution of 1776": Was U.S. Independence War a Conservative Revolt in Favor of Slavery? - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-27-14

B3: In Defense of Che Guevara (How the Media Lies to You) - Overzealots - Air Date 1-26-25

B4: The Warriors of a Failed Revolution - Narratively Out Loud - Air Date 9-30-20


(02:32:02) SECTION C: THE CURRENT MOMENT

C1: Why Fascism Fails - Then & Now - Air Date 5-18-26

C2: What Is the Relevance of the Russian Revolution Today? A Debate with Kshama Sawant & Eric Blanc - Haymarket Books Live - Air Date 9-26-22

C3: To Save The World, Stop Working - Extra Andrewism - Air Date 5-19-26

C4: Why the Epstein Files Didn't Start a Revolution - Uncivilized - Air Date 4-21-26

C5: "Forget What The Ruling Class Deems Unacceptable. Revolution Is Illegal" - Ed Mead On A Life In Struggle - Millennials Are Killing Capitalism - Air Date 5-26-22


(03:25:38) SECTION D: STRATEGY AND PRACTICE

D1: How To Start A Revolution Part 1 - Andrewism - Air Date 12-7-22

D2: Revolution: A How-To Guide - Hakim - Air Date 5-29-21

D3: How To Start A Revolution Part 2 - Andrewism - Air Date 12-7-22


 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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For over fifteen years, Best of the Left-Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy has served as a vital, human-curated digest of voices from across the progressive spectrum. Instead of presenting a single opinion, each episode is built around a specific theme-from economic inequality to climate policy to cultural shifts-and weaves together insightful commentary from a diverse array of journalists, activists, and thinkers. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the nuances of complex issues by hearing multiple expert angles in one sitting, all while discovering new commentators and sources you might not have encountered otherwise. The result is a richly layered analysis that algorithms simply cannot replicate, offering depth and context often missing from the daily news cycle. Since 2006, this award-winning podcast has cut through the noise, drawing from hundreds of independent and established sources to provide a coherent, thoughtful examination of the forces shaping our society and governments. Tuning in means joining a long-running conversation dedicated to understanding and advancing democratic principles, social justice, and a more equitable economy, all through the focused lens of leftist thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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