The Stories, Struggles, and Structures that Drive Resistance

Source: Wikimedia Commons/Beijing Castle Boxer Rebellion 1900

The act of rebellion seems to be a defining characteristic of the human race. Since the beginning of civilization, human beings have rebelled against a regime, a ruler, a law, or simply one another. Through this constant state of upheaval in the world, is the reason for resistance truly known? What motivates individuals or groups to rebel? Understanding the motivations behind rebellion is crucial in today’s political climate, as it informs conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and effective state governance. The main patterns and themes in revolution can be narrowed down to structural roots, grievances from identity, ideology, and narratives. 

To understand these motivations, it is helpful to examine their structural roots. Structural motivations can be largely understood in terms of economic inequality. Especially in developing countries or countries that have long faced oppressive regimes, economic themes such as poverty, welfare, and government weaknesses can be the main drivers of revolution. The Irish Revolution is a prominent example of these themes and of how historical shocks, such as the Great Irish Famine in the 19th century, had long-term effects on the participants of the Irish Revolutionary period from 1913 to 1921. Ireland’s long-standing history with the British Empire was a key factor in the conflict that plagued the region. The British colonial power stripped Ireland of its stability both politically and economically, leading to devastating events that followed the Irish. The poverty and inequality caused by the Great Irish Famine directly contributed to the revolutionary period. According to the data from the Irish Revolutionary period, rebels were more likely to come from families that had been greatly impacted by the famine. These rebels were mostly young, literate, catholic men, and they opposed everything that the British Empire stood for. It is hypothesized that the famine led to cultural persistence, ensuring that the legacy of the famine would be carried on from one generation to the next, and in turn, resentment would also be passed down from one generation to the next. 

Beyond structural motivations, identity-based grievances and the power of narratives also play a critical role in rebellion. Motivations stemming from differences in identity and grievances are also a pattern observed in many known rebellions worldwide. Narratives are often an important factor in rebellion. In addition to recounting history, they form an identity and promote specific grievances that lead to resistance. Rebellion narratives often promote a unifying factor that bonds individuals together, even when their comrades are yet to be seen. The human psyche craves to be a part of something larger and greater than itself. Whether it is a group of people or a movement, narratives project a sense of community that can help sustain courage. They offer agentic potential, where people view their actions under an asymmetrical power as meaningful. 

The role of narratives can be classified into four stages when studying a rebellion: contemplation, participation, capture, and peril. Narratives give hope and reason to individuals while they contemplate their participation. During the participation phase, narratives provide motivation and help reinterpret the concepts of punishment or capture. Ultimately, the narrative framework enables rebels to appreciate the value of martyrdom and sacrifice in furthering their cause. The Italian Resistance during World War II, specifically the Catholic Partisan, is an important example of a narrative framework. Narratives framed violence as a necessary evil to the Catholic Partisans in the Italian resistance against fascism. These values and ideas that were promoted helped reconcile Catholic ethics with armed struggle and motivated Italian catholics to move from contemplation to precipitation. The use of archetypes such as the “Catholic soldier” or the “pure martyr” helped individuals see themselves as a part of a larger community and gave them the confidence to resist and restructure their opinions on possible capture and punishment. These identities that were formed also gave these rebels a reason to die for their cause. Their narratives and the ideas that emerged from them were so powerful that dying for their cause, even during armed rebellion, was seen as a sign of heroism and a pathway to martyrdom. In fact, many leaders in rebellion often framed their cause as divine, incorporating a religious element that portrayed rebellion as divinely sanctioned and morally justifiable. 

Importantly, while these patterns can be distinguished, they rarely exist in isolation from one another. Although all of these patterns are distinctive, there is no singular reason that a rebellion can occur. Grievances, ideologies, and structural motivations often overlap during a rebellion. For example, the uprisings across countries in the Arab Spring can be explained by multiple socio-economic and socio-political problems. Economic inequality as well as a desire for justice and human rights, is the most popular theme, representing the interplay between different motivations behind one of the world’s most prominent rebellions. 

While rebellion is often defined as an act of violence or resistance, its significance extends far deeper. Rebellions are powerful expressions of humanity—driving the promotion of free will and social well-being. The motivations fueling rebellion are complex, rooted in economic, political, and social forces. More importantly, they are enduring symbols of strength and unity. Understanding the origins and mechanisms of revolutions is critical, not just for historians, but for everyone navigating our uncertain global climate. By learning from these motivations, we gain crucial insights to guide society towards greater stability and peace, ensuring that the lessons of the past illuminate the path forward.