Gray Zone Research

Breaking Down the “Popular Support” Myth

Or, why the Color Revolution doesn't need a majority to succeed

Mike Shelby's avatar
Mike Shelby
Aug 22, 2025
∙ Paid

Last year, I got into a debate with a professor about the concept of “popular support.” That’s the concept that revolutionary or insurgent movements need the active support from a substantial portion of the populace to succeed. And they do – that’s undeniable.

Popular support is crucial because an insurgent organization gets most of what it needs from th…

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