Stanchik, S. S. Stanchik, S. S. Role and Place of the Masses in ‘'Color Revolutions’'

Abstract: Color revolutions on the post-Soviet territory were successful due to the fact that the revolutionary opposition used masses to cast down the government. The purpose of this particular article is to show how public masses can become a weapon in revolutionists’ hands. So called ‘non-violent’ revolutions that happened in the republics of the former USSR resemble the Velvet revolutions in 1989. In particular, the communistic regime in some countries of the Eastern Europe was casted down with the help of numerous political meetings and demonstrations held by the opposition. There were mostly university and school students who participated in meetings and demonstrations. Due to their young age and absence of their own life experience, they could be easily manipulated. Moreover, so called youth political organizations also played a huge rule in revolutions. Leaders of Color Revolutions used the experience of their Velvet colleagues. Revolutionists used masses not only to cast down the government but also to legitimize the new government. Usual ‘palace revolution’ turned into people’s revolution. Mass media also played in important role in Color Revolution by deliberately falsifying information or spreading false but ‘sensational’ rumors for the purpose of manipulation of public opinions and attitudes. Therefore it can be concluded that people’s masses have also been one of the key instruments causing revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine and Kirgizia.

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