Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present

 

Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present  

Fareed  Zakaria
Synopsis 
Fareed Zakaria's book *Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present* delves into the transformative periods of history, emphasizing the shifts in political, technological, and economic landscapes. The book is divided into two main parts:
1. **Revolutions Past:** This section explores historical revolutions, beginning with the First Liberal Revolution in the Netherlands, moving through England's Glorious Revolution, France's Failed Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and the American Revolution's industrial impact.
2. **Revolutions Present:** This part addresses contemporary global trends, such as the extreme pace of globalization, the unbound nature of technology, the resurgence of identity-based tribalism, and geopolitical shifts.
Zakaria argues that the essence of politics, a constant struggle for power, hasn't changed much over centuries. However, the ideological landscape has transformed, particularly with the rise of right-wing populism globally, challenging traditional political norms and ideologies. The book also discusses the origins of revolutions, the impact of globalization, technology, and identity on societal changes, and the cyclical nature of progress and backlash throughout history.
In essence, Zakaria's work is a comprehensive analysis of how revolutions, both past and present, shape our world, highlighting the dynamic interplay between progress and its often inevitable reactionary backlash."
 

Some of the major events covered :

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