The tipping, or threshold, models presented in Chapter 8 are used to explain why the public protests in Eastern Europe in 1989 were a surprise to most political observers, both inside and outside of Eastern Europe. According to the reading and lectures, why are revolutions always going to be a surprise?
A) revolutions tend to be irrational
B) preference falsification
C) revolutionary cascades
D) none of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reading and lectures explain that revolutions are often a surprise because of preference falsification, where people publicly express support for the ruling regime while privately harboring dissent. This makes it difficult to gauge the true level of dissatisfaction within a population and predict when a revolution might occur.

The Tipping, or Threshold, Models Presented in Chapter 8 Are