On Being a Revolutionary

Throughout history, individuals have organized with others to bring about radical social change. What is it like to be on the front lines fighting for social transformation? Why do people risk life and limb to do so? Social science has addressed these questions in many different ways. This talk by Marcos Perez, postdoctoral fellow in sociology, will focus on three particularly contentious debates. First, the problem of human agency: what is the role of individuals in the outcome of revolutions? Second, the role of rationality. What are the different motivations to become a revolutionary? Third, the location of revolution. What (and where) is the best context for revolutionary change?