Crane Brinton Quotes

The difference between force and persuation is a subtile one not to be drawn by formulas, by force, by science, or textbooks but by men skilled in the art of ruling

They became actual revolutions instead of mere discussions, complaints and rioting, only after revolutionists had beaten, or won over, the armed forces of the government

These revolutions are born of hope, and their philosophies are formally optimistic.

It is almost safe to say that no government is likely to be overthrown until it loses the ability to make adequate use of its military.

Second we find in our prerevolutionary society definite and indeed very bitter class antagonisms, though these antagonisms seem rather more complicated than the cruder Marxists will allow.

Science is based not on faith but in skeptism

Harvard historian Crane Brinton (The Anatomy of Revolution) pointed out that revolutionary sentiments generally develop in periods of long-term economic progress, not abject deprivation. When business produces a sharp increase in living standards, the ‘revolution of rising expectations’ leaves workers and farmers impatient for more rapid advancement.