The dictionary definition of a Military coup is fairly clear. Merriam Webster defines it as “a sudden illegal seizure of power by part of the army.” Cambridge offers a more comprehensive explanation: “a takeover of government by members of the military, especially when accompanied by a violent overthrow or alteration of an existing constitution.”
Military coups are often presented as exceptional events, but in reality they are quite common. They occur in a variety of settings, including emerging and established democracies, and can have profound effects on the leadership, governance structures, and national policies of affected countries.
Many military coups have been preceded by widespread disaffection with elected governments and the failure of democratic institutions to deliver freedom, security, and development. These factors have led to a number of civilian protests and, in turn, increased the vulnerability of political leaders to coup attempts.
Coups are more likely to succeed if soldiers can be confident that at least some civilians will support them, and in fact many military coupists go to great lengths to consolidate this support. This misperception should be front and center for researchers, policymakers, and international observers as they seek to understand — and mitigate — these sudden, destabilizing military takeovers.
Civilian segments instigate and consolidate coups in two ways: Instigation involves more general actions to enlist support, like the alleged plot in Benin or the establishment of secret cells within the armed forces in Brazil. Consolidation, meanwhile, includes more specific action once the military takeover is underway: for example, naming civilian allies to key positions of power in Nigeria and Uganda after their recent coups or ensuring that top military commanders remain in place as they transition back into politics in Ghana and Sudan.
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