The main argument that has been made by the author is that there is a positive relationship between political violence and economic inequality. The author argues that an increase in economic inequality is always accompanied by high levels of political dissent. Inequality has been studied by very many scholars over the past century in an effort to analyze political violence. The studies led to four types of relationships between political violence and income inequality: Inverted U-shaped, linear, U-shaped, and negative linear. There are various cultural, individual, and structural factors that can make civilians rebel. Some of the factors include poor economic policies, relative deprivation, response to adverse economic conditions and increasing inequality. It is also evident that successful revolutions during the 20th century mainly occurred in economies that were agricultural based. Peasants form the majority of agricultural based economies and play a critical role in revolutionary movements and political violence.
Figure 1 showing relationship between political violence and inequalities.
There are motivational factors and key groups that facilitate political violence. The core motivational factor is socioeconomic conditions while the groups are the strength of the government, rebellious elites, the power of guerilla groups, and revolutionary coalitions. It also extends to show the relationship between democracy and economic development. The studies that were conducted aim at discovering the global factors that account for political violence and political rebellion. It is critical to note that a person and groups of people often experience some level of grievance and the grievances may ultimately exhibit themselves in various forms of violent political behavior. The chapter then attempts to explain how the increased forms and levels of grievances may manifest in rebellion and political violence.
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The methodology of the studies involves observation of the countries that experienced political violence in the 20 th century. The author explains that the studies were made in 49 countries during the 1960s. A comparative inquiry of the political factors indicated some levels or notions of relative deprivations through factors such as political legitimacy, persistent deprivation, adverse socioeconomic conditions, and levels of institutionalization. The level of political dissent is indicated by the magnitude of civil strife through combined actions of widespread revolts, demonstrations, purges, political strikes, plots, riots, mutinies, local rebellions, coups, and assassinations. The data collected from the countries experiencing political violence was then analyzed using the regression and correlation analysis. As shown in figure 1, the level of civil strife depends on the measure of relative deprivation. There are two key indicators of political violence: internal war and collective protest. Collective protests include antigovernment demonstrations, riots, deaths due to political violence, armed attacks, political assassinations, and political strikes. Internal war involves political assassinations, armed attacks, and deaths due to political violence.
A study of peasant wars was conducted in Mexico, Russia, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Algeria. They all had similar actors that led to a revolution. The starting conditions were land bound peasantry. The countries were also experiencing capital transformations that were either violent, entrepreneurship or involved colonization. The countries were also experiencing rapid population growth and centralized authority. All the grievances led to revolutions. The nature of their peasant economies was to meet the subsistent needs of the economies. It was also evident that the peasants were often ruled by dictators who were not willing to listen to their needs but rather implemented their policies through government institutions. The continued oppression of peasant farmers often led to rebellion in the country. In most cases, it often led to violent political revolutions aimed at removing the autocratic regime and installing a different leader who is keen to solve their problems.
The studies have various implications for policy makers and scholars. It shows the importance of inclusive leadership and democracy. Despite the defined nature of a country, the populations may resist changes implemented through state-led projects or capitalist transformations. The peasants often use revolutions or rebellion to resist the changes. All rebellions in history have always involved land. Hence, policy makers should ensure that the land policies are not oppressive. The capital expansion in developing countries often oppressed the peasants because the oppressors were often seen as outsiders. There is a strong relationship between politics, land, and labor. Policy makers in a country should ensure that al land policies are made after consultation with peasants so that the level of grievances can be minimized. The agrarian revolution in various countries was responsible for much political rebellion and violence in the 20 th century.
All in all, scholars have a critical role in studying the causes of political revolutions and offering alternative solutions to the government and peasants. Scholars can provide models that will assist in the formulation of policies that are efficient in land management. Farmers form the majority of agricultural based economies and play a critical role in revolutionary movements and political violence. The nature of their peasant economies was to meet the subsistent needs of the economies. There is a positive relationship between political violence and economic inequality. Scholars can study the grievance and approach the parties that are involved in solving the issues. They can also study the socioeconomic policies that have led to inequalities and offer viable solutions. The studies that were conducted by various scholars indicated the role of repression and state strength. The quantitative comparison of different countries shows how various relationships led to successful revolutions and the various grievances. Hence, scholars and policy makers have a crucial role in addressing political violence.
