Ukraine's revolution-yet-to-be-named was largely brought about by the failure of that previous, more peaceful but frustratingly unsuccessful uprising to change the country's dysfunctional political culture or build bridges between its regions, which have little by way of history to unite them.
The protest, which was smaller than previous marches, was peaceful though boisterous, as throngs of middle-class protesters banged on pots, blew whistles and chanted anti-Chávez slogans.
Though this year's demonstration was peaceful, previous marches have seen violent clashes between the police and demonstrators, usually incited by far-right football fans – "ultras" – who see themselves as loyal defenders of the Polish traditions they say are being diluted by foreigners.
The news of the first casualties came as a shock, given two previous months of largely peaceful protests.
Mr. David said people had been lulled by the previous uprisings, which were generally peaceful.
Although there were some ugly scenes on Royal Avenue the march marked the end of a marching season that has been relatively peaceful compared with previous years.
Mr. Pinker argues that our current era is less violent, less cruel and more peaceful than any previous period of human existence.
The central thesis of "Better Angels" is that our era is less violent, less cruel and more peaceful than any previous period of human existence.
He prompts us to ask if we, too, in 2011, are not feeding on fears that bear little relation to what is by the standards of all previous ages a comfortable and peaceful era (what century would you swap with, exactly?) As photographs of 9/11 swim in our imaginations, and financial woes make it seem that western society is about to hit the buffers, maybe we should gaze on his nightmares to relax.
As in previous plebiscites, the election was peaceful.
