SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION IN PUBLIC FINANCE

FRANSIZ DEVRİMİ VE BOLŞEVİK DEVRİMİ SÜREÇLERİNİN MALİYE KAPSAMINDAKİ BENZERLİKLERİ

Abstract

While many events are significant in world history, some have influenced both the period in which they occurred and many subsequent events. The French Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution are events of this kind. There are many reasons for these revolutions. Among these reasons, economic factors were crucial in spreading the revolutionary processes to large masses. Among the reasons for both the French Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution to be evaluated within the fiscal context are primarily concepts such as tax injustice and tax burden. The high tax burdens faced by lower-income groups, coupled with the inequality in tax payments between classes, were decisive factors in individuals' reactions to the government. Furthermore, inequities in income distribution led to unrest in both French and Russian societies and led to mass reactions. Furthermore, France's foreign policy in both the 17th and 18th centuries led to the country engaging in numerous wars, negatively impacting French public finances. A similar situation applies to Russian public finances. Both the wars of the 19th century, the 1905 Revolution, and World War I negatively impacted Russian public finances. These circumstances forced both countries to resort to debt, and unpaid debts resulted in new obligations for the people. These negative circumstances led to the decisive role of the masses in the revolutionary processes.