What is a Coup?

A coup, or coup d’état, is defined as the sudden and forceful overthrow of an existing government and its replacement with another. In a traditional coup, the country’s existing leaders are removed from power and a new military junta takes control of the government. Usually, the military leader or leaders of the coup take control of state institutions, such as security forces and the media. The coup soon begins to exercise control over the country’s civil, economic and political life. A coup is typically a one-time event with no guarantee of long-term success and stability.

History of Coups

Coups have been used throughout history and can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt. The concept of a coup was later refined in a military sense by French leader, Henri de La Tour d’Auvergne, in the early 18th century. He explained that the French army needed to act quickly to overthrow the existing regime while they still had the element of surprise.

Coups have been used to overthrow monarchies, dictatorships and democracies. In the 19th and 20th centuries, coups became increasingly common as countries in the developing world sought to break away from their colonial past and establish more autocratic regimes.

Types of Coups

There are several different types of coups. A ‘soft’ coup is when a country’s existing leaders are removed from power but the new government does not exercise control over civil, economic or political life beyond what is necessary to establish the new, temporary leadership. In a ‘hard’ coup, on the other hand, the new military or nonmilitary leadership take complete control of the state apparatus and exercise political, economic and social control over the population for an indefinite period of time.

Coups may also be classified as ‘internal’ or ‘external’. An ‘internal’ coup is when a group or groups from within the state’s borders stage a revolt to remove the existing leadership. This can be done through the military or through a civilian uprising. An ‘external’ coup is when a foreign government or foreign powers intervene in a country’s affairs to overthrow the existing leadership and install their own, usually more advantageous, leadership.

Impact of Coups

Historically, coups have had a significant negative impact on the countries they have taken place in. While some claim that coups can be an effective way to remove undesired leadership, they often result in the instability and potential lawlessness of the country that can outweigh any potential benefits. Coups are often followed by reprisals and human rights abuses, the erosion of democratic discourse, a reduction in economic growth, and the suppression of civil liberties.

Coups can also fan the flames of sectarianism. They may inflame tensions between different religious and ethnic groups, which can lead to violence and create an environment of mistrust and hatred. In some cases, coups can even lead to civil wars.

In conclusion, coups are a dangerous and subversive method for governments to gain power. Although coups have been used throughout history and can sometimes be beneficial in the short-term, their long-term consequences usually outweigh any temporary gains.