Changes in The Academic Conversation: Revolution of Rising Expectations
Generalizations in History will be a periodical blog about a specific generalization that can be made from studying History.
The Revolution of Rising Expectations
"The revolution of rising expectations, a term first used to describe Asia’s awakening in the early 1950s, is the single most powerful force yet unleashed for social development. It marks a stage in which individual members of society not only venture to dream or hope or work for higher levels of accomplishment, but in which those aspirations have coalesced into a conviction and expectation that they will achieve, possess and enjoy more than their parents or they themselves have in the past."
The Revolution of Rising Expectations
"The revolution of rising expectations, a term first used to describe Asia’s awakening in the early 1950s, is the single most powerful force yet unleashed for social development. It marks a stage in which individual members of society not only venture to dream or hope or work for higher levels of accomplishment, but in which those aspirations have coalesced into a conviction and expectation that they will achieve, possess and enjoy more than their parents or they themselves have in the past."
-Garry Jacobs
As explained so succinctly above, one of the most reliable generalizations in History is the idea of a revolution of rising expectations. It sounds like an exciting call to arms. Simply stated this generalization describes the tendency of people to expect more of their situation when their perception of themselves, their limitations, and their ability to prosper has changed.
Just like when you give a child a toy, or a teenager a later curfew, it is easier to give than to take back. Once a people are given a right or a freedom, a chance to progress or to achieve, an ability to possess more or grasp something before out of their reach, one will have a hard time rescinding that thing.
Some call this phenomena setting a precedent, but whatever the terminology, history has shown us consistently that a revolution of rising expectations will occur when people have reason to hope for a better future.
Examples of this idea are seen during the bread riots of the French Revolution, the weakening monarchy of England during the 17th and 18th Centuries, and the Civil Rights Movement in America. The examples through History are as numerous as they are common. Once a people are given something it isn't easy to take it away, and some would argue downright impossible.
One of the present day examples of this idea is illustrated in the video below:
As explained so succinctly above, one of the most reliable generalizations in History is the idea of a revolution of rising expectations. It sounds like an exciting call to arms. Simply stated this generalization describes the tendency of people to expect more of their situation when their perception of themselves, their limitations, and their ability to prosper has changed.
Just like when you give a child a toy, or a teenager a later curfew, it is easier to give than to take back. Once a people are given a right or a freedom, a chance to progress or to achieve, an ability to possess more or grasp something before out of their reach, one will have a hard time rescinding that thing.
Some call this phenomena setting a precedent, but whatever the terminology, history has shown us consistently that a revolution of rising expectations will occur when people have reason to hope for a better future.
Examples of this idea are seen during the bread riots of the French Revolution, the weakening monarchy of England during the 17th and 18th Centuries, and the Civil Rights Movement in America. The examples through History are as numerous as they are common. Once a people are given something it isn't easy to take it away, and some would argue downright impossible.
One of the present day examples of this idea is illustrated in the video below:
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