But, as most people know, revolution is not an everyday occurrence. Revolution is about a large number of people coming together at the one time. The aims of a revolution are often radical and far reaching. In contrast to a period of reform, the agenda for social change expands rapidly during a revolution. Suddenly unobtainable aims come within the grasp of ordinary people.
Revolutions are great opportunities to re-organise society.
As such they're not to be squandered. Because revolutions involve so many and have such grand aims, many people see them as unlikely events. Since 1965 Indonesia has been ruled by a ruthless dictator, General Suharto. He ordered the murder of millions of ordinary Indonesians and was also responsible for the brutal annexation of East Timor. Very few people gave either Indonesia or the East Timorese much of a chance against Suharto.