Between 1979 and 1986 Iran, Nicaragua, and the Philippines underwent dramatic political and social revolutions. This book examines the conditions and processes that gave rise to revolutions and their outcomes, through an in-depth analysis of economic and political developments in these countries. The book studies the background to revolution provided by state formation and development, economic intervention, the states' vulnerabilities, and the social consequences of their development policies. Extensive primary data is used to analyze the impact of the collective actions and ideologies of the major social groups involved - students, clergy, workers, and capitalists - and how they affected the potential for a successful revolutionary outcome. Parsa challenges prevailing theories of social revolution and develops an alternative model that incorporates variables from a wide variety of perspectives. His book provides a valuable framework within which to understand the causes of revolutions, their mechanics and development, and their outcomes.

‘In this ambitious book, sociologist [Misagh] Parsa of Dartmouth College compares and contrasts the revolutions in Iran, Nicaragua, and the Philippines in a framework that draws on structural, resource mobilization, and political process theories. Highly recommended for scholars and upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of comparative social movements.’

N. Entessar Source: Choice

‘Parsa offers a fine combination of careful, nuanced empirical case studies and theoretical propositions regarding key factors omitted from structural theories of revolution. Along with other recent work influenced by the ‘new institutionalism’, this volume points the way toward a new and richer synthesis of structure and agency in our understanding of revolutions and revolutionary processes.’

Jack A. Goldstone Source: American Political Science Review

‘Make room on your bookshelf next to Skocpol, Tilly, and Goldstone. Mirasha Parsa’s new book is a major contribution to the comparative and historical study of revolutions. Along with works of Paige and Wickham-Crowley, this book ranks among the very best analyses of revolutions in developing or Third World societies.’

Jeff Goodwin Source: American Journal of Sociology

‘A well-researched work of general interest.’

Source: U.S.I. Journal