There’ll always be a hierarchy but I’m certain if education changed future generations would learn to be less hierarchical. I don’t think a revolution implies automatically we will replace the current power structure with our own, but in the short term an interim government will be needed to repair the damage done by the old system and the resulting damage caused us getting rid of that system.

In the past those who’ve replaced the old system with an interim government tend to hang onto power far to long afterwards, a good example would be Robert Mugabe. His revolution has failed cos he refuses to leave office now his people have exercised their new rights and voted him out.

It’s beholden on the leaders of the next revolution to be prepared to hand over power to the next generation when they tell us they can run things better than we can. Mao educated a whole generation to think like him rather think for themselves, these people then killed anyone who didn’t agree (red squads cira 1960s).

I read somewhere that the American revolutionary Thomas Jefferson thought that a functioning country should have a revolution every thirty years or so, this makes sense to me because each one is lead by a new generation raised under a different education system and social structure. So each generation develops new ideas and methods for improving society.

I totally agree that we need to stop seeing ourselves individualistically and think collectively in local spheres rather than larger national ones. I think encouraging participation at a local level will bring a better society cos people are less likely to stand by and watch the exploitation of their neighbors than today’s world where many people casually accept exploitation of unknown foreigners.

Nothing is too idealistic, people used to think the world was flat and monsters were waiting at the edge to eat anyone who sailed to far from land (I know it’s an overused cliche but it’s actaully also true) and women/foreigners/pagans etc were lesser humans than themselves. But education has changed these perceptions with facts and I think enough education can change the perceptions of people today about such things as “human nature”. Like you say it’s not inherent so much as inherited.

First we need to get the handful in power who benefit greatly from the current system out of power. This crowd seem intent on using violence to shore up their rule so we may have to resort to violence to remove them. But I also don’t think violence is inherent in human behaviour just an action resorted to when either education or circumstance leaves no other choice. If anything people instinctively avoid violence whenever possible. Once we prove to every one else what we already know that there is a much better way to do things the world will be a much safer place for every one.

To me the revolution is in getting rid of the current system and the renaissance is what we encourage to grow in the next generation afterwards.

PS sorry the huge rant it was awesome to read your post and see some one else thinking about this too.

This revolution has already started and your apart of it. If you truly live your life the way you speak you will be an inspiration to all others who strive to find meaning in life and to stop their suffering. Society will always require leaders just as children require parents, but the revolution starts when we replace our leaders who try to control with leaders such as you who will only show the way to those that become lost not by punishment but by inspiration. You already help start the revolution just don’t stop what you do. Old ways of thinking have to die before new ones can be born. That in its self is a revolution.