revolution from above


revolution from above

a revolutionary transformation of society initiated and carried through by the existing rulers of society who maintain their dominant position in the post-revolutionary society A debated example is that of Japan in 1868, when the Meiji Restoration was led by sections of the feudal ruling class who introduced radical changes in Japan's political and economic structure, leading to a process of capitalist industrialization and radical changes in state structure. The term is used by Barrington MOORE, to contrast such revolutions with the more classical conception of revolution from below, in which a previously dominant class is overthrown by a rising class or classes. See also REVOLUTION.