In my Political Science class, our teacher wants us to choose a country and, based on their government, plan how a revolution could be done. Based on what I've researched on the current German government, this is my hypothetical plan. On a day when the Bundestag is in session, a person and his personal army march to the Reichstag Building. The personal army surrounds the building, blocking any interference from the police or Germanys army. Once inside the Bundestag meeting room, they get the President and Chancellor (in this case Christian Wulff and Angela Merkel), and present them with a new constitution which reconstitutes the country, and makes the hostile take-over legal. Threaten their lives if they do not sign, with threats such as if you dont sign, we will kill you, and since you do not have any named successors, we will name ourselves your legal successors, and our constitution will make this legal, etc. So, would this plan work? If not, any recommendations?
I think you choose the wrong country. Why would that person and has army want to get rid of the German heads of state? The President of Germany is in some hot water right now, he could be forced from office, and a few days later the Euro could fall, then their would be a higher chance of a revolution.
Will not work. I present to you Articles 79 and 146 of the German Constitution: Article 79 [Amendment of the Constitution] (1) This Constitution can be amended only by statutes which expressly amend or supplement the text thereof. In respect of international treaties, the subject of which is a peace settlement, the preparation of a peace settlement or the phasing out of an occupation regime, or which are intended to serve the defence of the Federal Republic, it is sufficient, for the purpose of clarifying that the provisions of this Constitution do not preclude the conclusion and entry into force of such treaties, to effect a supplementation of the text of this Constitution confined to such clarification. (2) Any such statute requires the consent of two thirds of the members of the House of Representatives [Bundestag] and two thirds of the votes of the Senate [Bundesrat]. (3) Amendments of this Constitution affecting the division of the Federation into States [Länder], the participation on principle of the States [Länder] in legislation, or the basic principles laid down in Articles 1and 20 are inadmissible. Article 146 [Duration of validity of the Constitution] This Constitution, which is valid for the entire German people following the achievement of the unity and freedom of Germany, ceases to be in force on the day on which a constitution adopted by a free decision of the German people comes into force. In other words, this simply can't happen. Neither the President, nor the Chancellor have that kind of power.
Private Military Coupes inevitably have to deal with the real military. If they are like ours, they are sworn to uphold the constitution. Since these public officials would be under duress the actual military would not recognize your changes even if you took both the house and senate. With their nearly unlimited resources compared to yours you would inevitably lose out. Pressure from their powerful democratic neighbors would also ensure that Germanys power is restored to its original state even if you wipe out their entire house and senate. You have to take into consideration of socio-economics conditions of the country. How hard is it to find jobs? is the minimum wage low enough or are people generally satisfied? quality of life? ect need to be bad enough for the population to submit to a new government. The conditions in neighboring countries is generally just as important. A revolution or reform usually needs to meet that criteria. If you want to overthrow a government you do not have to look any further then the United States for examples. One I like is Chilies. Salvador Allende was democratically elected by the people of Chilie as a referendum to the exploits of their natural resources and people by foreign entities. Of course corporate America didn’t like this and lobbied the U.S. to impose heavy sanctions’ on the country. Once there was adequate poverty it was easy for the CIA to back a coupe by the Military leader Augusto Pinochet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_Chilean_coup_d'état#U.S._role
Revolution in America through open source warfare involving a hundred million people acting independently overwhelming the power of the state. Open source warfare. There is literally no defense.
Revolution in america be a complete blood bath. The so called rebels be labelled terrorists and the usa military with police forces stomp on it using all the war toys been invented in the last few decades. Although the same with any western nation, the dream of toppling the goverment with the power of the people and hope the politicians dont unleash the dogs of war,
And then the real army walks in, declares the new constitution null and void due to duress and shoots you.
