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A coup d'état — commonly shortened to coup — is a swift and often forceful overthrow of a government, typically carried out by a small group of individuals within the state apparatus. This seizure of power is illegal, non-democratic, and usually bypasses existing legal or electoral processes. In most cases, the actors involved include military leaders, political elites, or even intelligence services turning against their own state institutions.
Unlike revolutions, which are mass uprisings aimed at total regime change often involving civilian populations, a coup is usually executed by a few insiders—those already in power, or close to it—who move to replace one ruling entity with another, usually to protect their own interests or ideology.
A coup happens without legal approval. There is no election, no legislative debate, and no constitutional mandate. It often occurs abruptly—overnight or within hours—stripping elected leaders of power and replacing them with new authority, usually through coercive means.
Coup leaders are often already embedded in power structures: generals, cabinet ministers, intelligence officers, or political party factions. Because of this, they can manipulate systems, communications, or command structures swiftly and effectively.
Civilians rarely initiate coups. While the aftermath can stir public support or protests, the action itself is plotted and executed by a concentrated few. Public sentiment is often used post-facto to legitimize the takeover.
Military strength, police control, or the threat of violence are typical tools used in coups. Barracks are mobilized, state houses are occupied, and communication lines—TV, radio, internet—are often seized or shut down to control the narrative.
-Military Coup: Dominated by the armed forces; the most common globally.
-Civilian Coup: Led by political insiders without military backing but with institutional leverage.
-Palace Coup: Executed within the ruling elite, often replacing one faction with another from the same circle.
-Self-Coup (Autogolpe): When a sitting leader unlawfully extends their power, usually by dissolving institutions or bypassing democratic checks.
Coups have shaped numerous nations. From military juntas in Latin America to recent events in parts of Africa and Asia, coups often derail democracy, delay development, and lead to instability or human rights violations.
In the modern era, coups are also disguised—conducted behind closed doors, through court decisions or legislative manipulations, making them harder to define. But the essence remains: a seizure of power outside legal or democratic frameworks.
In fragile democracies, even rumors of coups can undermine confidence in governance. Coups disrupt national unity, delay progress, provoke foreign intervention, and often spark violence. Whether successful or failed, their occurrence signals institutional weakness and a political environment where might overrides mandate.
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