[bloogsy]

> the outcomes of revolutions are usually much worse in the short term and often in the longer term

This is a pretty strong and unfounded statement. Would we even have the relatively free and democratic societies we exist in now without the revolutions of centuries past?

[pjc50]

The US is a bit biased by considering its revolution a great success - which it was, for the white population. There was never a wholesale slave revolt, but the revolt of the slaveowners was successfully suppressed.

Conversely the UK never had a popular revolution and transitioned to constitutional monarchy (eg also Sweden).

France was very bad in the medium term; the Terror, subsequent invasion, Napoleon etc. Perhaps only a fully free society at the 5eme republic.

Much of the world by sheer number of countries got its freedom either at the end of WW2 or the Cold War.

Cuba and Haiti are still going badly.

[huevosabio]

I see revolutions similar to heavy mutations in evolution. Most of them leave society in a worse position, some, however, do bring long-lasting improvement to social governance.

[untog]

Sounds like a case of survivorship bias at work here. How many revolutions led to failed societies that aren’t around any more?