A Different Kind of Stroke

This chapter analyzes each of the three major components of a democratic coup. First, the military overthrows an authoritarian government. Coups that target democratically elected governments are inherently not democratic. Second, after a coup deposes an authoritarian government, the military temporarily governs the nation as part of an interim government that rules only until democratic elections of civilian leaders take place. During the transition, the military must support the transition to democracy and prepare for elections. Third, the transition ends with the free and fair elections of civilian leaders and the military’s retreat to the barracks. A coup that fails to produce at least a procedural democracy is not democratic under my definition.