... previous studies of revolutions, drawing her theoretical approach by adapting from the political-conflict theory and Marxism. Moreover, the Marxist influence, as noted by David, is clear throughout her work. However, she emphasizes Marxism's shortcomings to interpret the revolutionary process. She argues that although the class struggle is invariably present in the revolutionary upheavals it is necessary to "understand how and when class members find themselves able to struggle effectively for their interests." (13) Then she introduces her notion of an autonomous state, which would be self interested and that it participated actively, more or less in each case, in the revolutionary process. What I find ambiguous about her definition of autonomous state is that although it is free of control from the dominant class (contrary to Marxist view), it performs "two basic sets of tasks: it maintains order, and it competes with other actual or potential states." The ambiguity is ...

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