Rerevolutionaries

Rerevolutionaries is a term sometimes used to describe individuals or groups who advocate for a significant societal or political change by looking back to, or attempting to reinstate, past principles, structures, or societal norms. This concept can be distinguished from traditional revolutionaries who often focus on establishing entirely new systems or ideologies. Rerevolutionaries, in contrast, may seek to reclaim or revive what they perceive as foundational or superior elements of a previous era, believing that contemporary issues stem from a departure from these earlier ideals.

The motivations behind rerevolutionary sentiment can vary. Some may feel that modern society has lost its way, perhaps due to perceived moral decay, the erosion of traditional values, or the overreach of governmental or corporate power. Others might believe that specific historical periods offered a more just, equitable, or stable social order, and that a return to such conditions is necessary to address current grievances. This can manifest in calls for political reform, cultural reorientation, or the re-establishment of specific social hierarchies or economic models that were prevalent in the past.

The term "rerevolutionary" is often applied retrospectively or critically, and its usage can carry different connotations depending on the context. It is not a self-identifier widely adopted by the groups it describes, and may sometimes be used by opponents to characterize movements perceived as regressive or nostalgic. The effectiveness and feasibility of rerevolutionary aims are subjects of ongoing debate, with discussions often centering on the selective interpretation of history and the challenges of recreating past conditions in a vastly changed present.