Civilisation (1969) Part 12 of 13 - The Fallacies of Hope

Evolution and revolution both refer to a change, however, there's a difference between the change implied by the two words. Evolution refers to a slow and gradual change whereas revolution refers to a sudden, dramatic and complete change. A real turnover was the French Revolution that led to a radical disavowal of l'Ancient Regime, as was the First World war, that signified an abrupt end to a new order only established after Napoleon Bonaparte who was the last of the French revolutionaries. The French Revolution like any revolution since, or even sudden change in leadership in any organistion, in general eats its young. Some like Charles-Maurice De Taleyrand do survive it by staying realists like in the past Thucydides or Cardinal Richelieu were. Taleyrand sought a negotiated secure peace with the rest of Europe so as to perpetuate the gains of the French revolution itself. Of course, hope for real change in the condition of ordinary people has been most violently crushed since. Weighing up the hope and the dispair symbolized by the art of Auguste Rodin and Francisco Goya respectively how optimistic should one be?
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