Revolution or Reform - attempts to improve the governing of societies.
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Shack or Squat.
Private Slums.
Nomad / Gypsy.
Institutional Housing.
Big Estates.
Affluent Poverty and Government..
Religion and
Revolution or Reform - attempts to improve the governing of societies.
Look at -
Shack or Squat.
Private Slums.
Nomad / Gypsy.
Institutional Housing.
Big Estates.
Affluent Poverty and Government..
Religion and Society
Or see -
Affordable Housing.
Development Problems.
Housing Design.
Estate Exclusion.
Scheme Appraisal.
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While there is no evidence of primitive stone-age human societies having anything in the way of government, as societies have progressed the size and complexity of their governing systems has tended to grow. Forms of government have varied greatly in different societies at different times in their history but mostly have involved some few ruling the many, often with one leader dominant for substantial periods.
And while some forms of government at times have functioned better for some societies, all governments have involved significant social problems some of which they failed to address and some of which they helped worsen.
These basic facts have given rise to many attempts in many societies to improve government - by'revolution' or by'reform' - involving different individuals and groups with different good intentions. Of course some with plain bad intentions also at times sought to govern, since governing a society has substantial advantages for anyone more concerned with their own personal wealth and power. The bad-intentioned taking over a society almost always worsens social problems,
but the good-intentioned taking over a society has not always improved social problems or has improved things only temporarily.
Religious Revolution or Reform.
The earliest social good intentions were generally organised under various Religions, which have had major social impact in some societies. Of course in many religions their social views were secondary or incidental to a main aim of relating individuals to God.
But often religions have had strong social concerns and have sought to improve a society by influencing government by revolution or by reform.
Religious revolution or reform has often been opposed to highly oppressive or exploiting government, but especially to government oppressing that religion.
Unfortunately when a religion gains control over government it is normally not long before it itself begins oppressing those not committed to that religion, and often exploiting the weak who are.
And in addition, religious people are often lacking in the kinds of skills needed for efficient government. They can lack skills in business, in dealings, in compromising and in handling opponents. So with the best intention, attempts at improving government by religions often achieves little actual good.
For a more detailed consideration of the social impact of religion see our Religion and Society section.
Political Revolution or Reform.
Political ideas perhaps really began with the development of philosophy, which emerged in ancient Greece with thinkers like Plato. Since then a wide range of political ideas have been developed, involving a wide range or ideas on how societies might be better governed. Of course some like
Machiavelli also produced ideas on how rulers might best exploit government to advance their own personal wealth and power. Individual political ideas then often gave rise to political movements or parties.
Political revolution or reform has often emerged to oppose highly oppressive or exploiting government, and especially to government excesses in taxation or war failures affecting the majority badly.
With some forms of government, reform pressures cannot make any impact so revolution may be seen as the only practicable option to improve government.
But with other governments it can be possible to achieve at least some improvement by peaceful lobbying type pressure.
Unfortunately when government is subject to political revolution or reform, any real improvement is normally very limited and is often temporary only. Those newly in control soon find that they can achieve little, and are soon tempted by the great personal benefits of governing so that power corrupts them.
This happens whatever form the new government takes, so even a new government of farmers will soon convert them into a governing class or elite who will lose interest in all ideas of improving government and will exploit the weak.
Reforming different forms of government.
Three basic types of government are generally possible (though these can take many forms) ;
1. Minority Governing. Most common now, this can vary to include one individual Dictatorships, one family Kingdoms and one minority class Oligarchy - and maybe Party-Representative Democracy and Majority-Party government.
2. Majority Governing. Less common now, this can vary to include Direct Democracy and Elected-Representative Democracy - and maybe Party-Representative Democracy and Majority-Party government.
3. All Governing or No Governing. Probably existing significantly only in stone-age societies that were small and isolated, this might vary to include perhaps Family Autonomy and Communal Tribalism. There have been some modern attempts to create communes of this type.
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