Final answer:
The power of the government in revolutions can often be overestimated due to the imbalance of resources and control that governments have, which can thwart efforts by impoverished populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is easy to overestimate the power of the government in revolutions. This statement reflects the arguments made by the scholar James C. Davies, who suggested in his paper "Toward a Theory of Revolution" that significant change relies on the general sentiment of the population. He posited that those experiencing absolute poverty are not likely able to initiate a successful revolution as the government possesses overwhelmingly more resources and abilities to maintain control. Understanding revolutions requires examining the nuances of both political power and collective social forces.