Military Rule

Military coups in Burkina Faso

10

Military coups in Nigeria

8

Military Coups in Sudan

7

Military Coups in Burundi

6

Military Coups in Chad

6

Military Coups in Ghana

6

Military Coups in Comoros

6

Military Coups in Mauritania

6

Military Coups in Ethiopia

5

Military Coups in Libya

5

Military Coups in Sierra Leone

5

Military Coups in Central African Republic

5

Military Coups in Benin

5

Authority definition

Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience

Authority vs legitimacy

Legitimacy comes from rule of law, workable institutions, and accepted avenues for redress

Authority vs coercion

Coercion relies on threats or force to maintain political order and protect elite interests

Role of the military in government

Provides national security, defends the state, and manages defense strategy

Can military leaders govern effectively?

Examples like Eisenhower and De Gaulle show they can, but success varies by context

Domestic security dilemma

The military is often used by leaders to consolidate domestic political power

Ethnic realities in Africa

Ethnic loyalties can influence military behavior and fuel coups

Populism and the military

Military leaders often justify rule as acting "on behalf of the people

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Environmental school theory (Huntington & Finer)

Coups result from weak political institutions and fragile political culture

Organizational school theory (Janowitz)

Coups occur because militaries are disciplined, patriotic, cohesive, and believe they can govern better

Why so many coups in Africa?

Weak institutions, military strength, ethnic tensions, corruption, and lack of trust in civilian governments

Number of coups 1952-1990

Around 71 military coups

Total coups into the 2000s

Over 88 coups, overthrowing roughly 60% of African governments

Guardian coup definition

A coup justified as removing corruption or inefficiency; most common in Africa

Veto coup definition

A coup launched to block anticipated societal or political change (example: Algeria 1992)

Revolutionary/breakthrough coup definition

Aimed at transforming society (example: Ethiopia 1974 overthrowing Haile Selassie)

Problems facing military rulers — precedent

Set a dangerous example that coups are acceptable political tools

Problems — lack of governing skills

Military rulers often lack experience managing bureaucrats, legislatures, and public policy

Problems — legitimacy

Hard to build networks or gain public trust after taking power illegally

Problems — delivering promises

Rulers often cannot fulfill the reforms they claimed justified the coup

Problems — deciding next steps

Unclear whether to hold elections, create parties, or remain in power

How the military has fared — budget increases

Military budgets often rise sharply (ex: Ghana's 22% increase after 1966 coup)

How the military has fared — moral guardianship

After handing over power, military leaders often pressure or "correct" new governments

How the military has fared — long-term rule

Extended military rule leads to single-party systems, elite capture, patrimonialism, and corruption

Relationship with civil society under military rule

Civil society is often repressed or rearranged to support military elites

How to reduce coups?

Strengthen institutions, professionalize the military, improve governance, reduce corruption, and build legitimacy