Rebellion

Rebellion, as most words in any language, is polysemic, that is, it will convey one or more meanings according to the actual verbal context and/or the situational context. A basic dictionary usually refers to 1) the refusal to obey a de jure or de facto authority, 2) a group of rebels. But the corresponding verb »to rebel« also means »to protest«. As in any semantic study, contradictions are apparent: when you rebel in the first sense, you seem to disobey a »legitimate« or established authority, whether a person or a government. So rebellion extends from a non docile attitude to insurgency, through resistance and revolt.

Rebellion, equated with insurgency or insurrection or revolt, requires two parameters: an established authority, usually a government and a desire (triggered by defiance, discontent and grievances) to confront this authority. These connected concepts do not require the use of arms, taken literally. In a political party, an insurgent is said to rebel against the policies and decisions of that party. This form of revolt is amusing from an etymological point of view, since »insurgere« in Latin means »to rise up«, while the dissident (dissenting) member etymologically »sits apart« (L. dissidere). Collective revolt and rebellion definitely seem to imply the use of force, as revolution (»armed and active effort to overthrow a government«), with varying results as shown by usage: a revolt (uprising) is open; a rebellion usually fails and a revolution is successful.