Coup d’etat is the sudden, violent overthrow of a government by a small group of military or political actors. It differs from revolutions, which usually involve large numbers of people seeking basic social and political change, including changing the form of government. A coup typically results in the abrupt replacement of leading government personnel, but it rarely alters a nation’s fundamental social and economic policies or significantly redistributes power among competing groups.
In order for a coup to succeed, the attempting group must control all or parts of the armed forces, the police, and other military elements. It must also be able to demonstrate the legitimacy of its overthrow, often through an act of rebellion or civil disobedience.
Attempts to overthrow governments occur in all regions of the world. While the number of coups is not always high, they tend to have significant consequences for countries, regions, and individuals.
Some coups result in dictatorships, while others lead to repressive governance and exacerbate regional and international conflict. While the term coup d’etat is most associated with military overthrows, many civilian coups have been attempted.
Despite the political and economic significance of coups, scholars have paid relatively little attention to them. The lack of scholarship on coups has left a gap in understanding of the phenomenon, especially in relation to elections and forms of governance. JSTOR Daily intends to fill this gap with original articles that bring coups and their effects into sharper focus. The articles will draw on a wide range of sources, from primary historical documents to modern news reports and contemporary scholarship.