Pave Tibet!

[meat]

Originally Posted by VRM

Meat,
'dramatic change' is subjective and not quantifiable. The American revolution could have ended with HRH granting representation to us pesky colonials. That would probably not have been enough to qualify as 'dramatic' in your eyes, but it still constitutes change, and would have been exactly what the colonials wanted.

The American Revolution resulted in the creation of a new country, with a new form of government, a constitution, and a peaceful transport of power.

What it 'could have ended up with' is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by VRM

Iran threw out their monarchy and established a theocracy (Russia and China also changed forms of government during their revolutions).

Iran was a change of ownership.

Originally Posted by VRM

American democracy is often termed 'the Great Experiment' - our revolution is ongoing as well. Both are valid examples of successful revolutions, and there are many others that have already been pointed out that have used a variety of methods for the revolutionaries to get what they want.

The 'Great Experiment' is the belief in liberty, achievement through hard work, and the belief that all men are created equal. It's not about democracy, it's about a representative republic. And it's the only valid example of a successful revolution - significant change.

Giving the keys to the renter of an apartment isn't any more of a revolution than coming out with a new flavor for a soft drink and calling it 'New Coke.' It's still the same can, it's still from the same manufacturer.

Originally Posted by VRM

Protest and revolution can work.

Protest may work - in that it draws attention and tends to alienate - but it never succeeds. The 60s are over, the experiment failed, and bell bottoms fell out of style.

Your pal,
Meat.