The Revolutionary Waves in World History: Dynamic Models of Growth and Extinction

Abstract

Revolutions in world history often flare up one after the other, forming a revolutionary wave. The paper highlights the main types of waves (ideological waves, structural waves and wave-chains, large and small waves), presents the general set of revolutionary waves over five centuries (27 waves), describes six models of the dynamics of their growth and decay: The limit of flammability, Ignition of quenchers, Post-revolutionary frustration, The order outside in question, Vulnerability of dependent regimes and Depletion of resources for struggle. Each model as a dynamic interrelation of variables is presented in form of trend-structure (a directed graph with positive and negative connections). Historical examples of waves with vivid manifestation of the dynamics of each model and the basic research strategies for further use of the models are presented.