Saturday Forum | Why Do We Fear Revolutions?

Europe has been the "Mother of Revolutions", Many seismic changes have occurred as a consequence. How has art and literature portrayed these demands for liberty and where are the revolutionary confrontations today?

The year 1989 was the occasion of a fresh debate about the nature of revolution. The Berlin Wall came down and was reduced to rubble and then to souvenirs. Some in Europe proclaimed, “The French Revolution is over.” Yet the idea of revolution has not vanished forever. Europe has been the "Mother of Revolutions" creating some seismic changes and some sorrows and regrets. How has art and literature portrayed these demands for liberty and where are revolutionary confrontations today?

Jerry Zaslove is Professor Emeritus, Humanities and English and Director Emeritus of the Institute for the Humanities