A common retort to socialists who argue for revolutionary change is that revolutionary upheavals are outdated phenomena, relegated to an earlier era of capitalism. Often it is argued that the state today is too strong, or workers too weak, for the system to face an existential challenge. But the 21st century has seen many mass revolts, encompassing mass strikes, rioting, self-defence and radical grassroots forms of organisation, much like previous eras. Militarised states have been challenged and ruptured, and the possibility of social transformation has been raised. In these moments, the classic debates between revolution and reform have come sharply to the fore. This session will unpack the dynamics of revolutionary upheaval in the contemporary period, drawing out both similarities and differences with the great rebellions of the 20th century.