This paper presents a reading of some of the seminal texts on revolution using the French Revolution as an example, and tries to make use of the analytical tools provided by theoretical efforts to cast light on the dialectical relationship between revolution and social chance and to answer the following question: Under what conditions can a revolution lead to social change in society? The literature on revolution is considered by looking at the three stages of revolution to reach its aim: the pre-revolutionary period (the old regime); the outbreak and event of the revolution (the revolutionary period); and the period after the revolution (the period when the revolution achieves its aims).