Passive revolution: A contested concept and a research agenda

The articles in this volume show that “passive revolution” is a type of social transformation distinct from other paths. In countries ranging from Mexico and South Africa to Trinidad and Tobago and Iran, revolution was thoroughly integrated with restoration. This happened through absorbing the cadres, policies, and language of radical challengers into existing structures of domination. The authors do not entirely align on how this process is linked to other key concepts of the Gramscian paradigm, such as hegemony, civil society, and war of position. However, their divergences attest to the robustness of the paradigm. After clarifying the theoretical stakes and discussing the cases, this essay further specifies how passive revolution is distinct from revolution, counter-revolution, radical reform, and revolution from above. It also states the need to integrate Gramsci with Arrighi, Fanon, and CLR James. The essay ends with providing more details regarding the research agenda that ensues.