Getting a Seat at the Table: Changes in Military Participation in Government and Coups

Abstract

Why do coups happen and how can state leaders affect their likelihood? Existing research focuses on structural factors as well as “coup-proofing” as drivers of coup risk. I argue that the literature misses an important alternative avenue by which leaders affect the likelihood that their militaries remove them from office: adding or removing military officers from the government. When leaders bring military officers into the government, they signal to the military that there is a peaceful path to sharing power and provide an alternative to coups. In contrast, removing military officers from government dramatically increases the risk of a coup attempt as the military retaliates against the leader’s power grab. I test this theory using cross-national data that captures changes in military representation in national cabinets and state councils from 1969 to 2008 and find mixed support. In line with the theory, there is strong evidence that large reductions in the military’s government positions lead to coup attempts, and more modest evidence that large increases reduce coup attempts. However, contrary to expectations, the results also suggest that small increases in military government positions increase the risk of a coup.

Navigating Complexities: African Union's Peace and Security Strategy Challenges after Niger and Gabon Coups

“…These complexities contribute to governance gaps, which impede the proper functioning of state institutions. The study emphasizes that these gaps hinder citizen participation in the governance process, leading to public dissatisfaction and increased risks of unrest and coups [6].complements this perspective by delving into the intricate dynamics of government structures in coup dynamics. The addition or removal of military officers from government positions serves as a signaling mechanism for powersharing possibilities.…”