A Coup d’etat is an abrupt, often violent transfer of power from the existing government to a military or political faction that assumes sovereign authority. Such events are typically illegal and can have significant, lasting impacts on governments and societies. They can also inspire international reactions ranging from condemnation to support of the new leadership based on geopolitical interests.
The coup d’etat is the most common type of power change, but it is not the only one: other types include military overthrows, civil wars, and rebellions that challenge existing structures of governance. Coups d’etat can occur in times of economic crisis or political instability and take advantage of weakened government structures. They can have many causes and varying effects, but they usually lead to a shift away from revolutionary ideals towards authoritarian rule and new forms of government.
While some coups d’etats are bloodless, others may cause chaos and violence, and their aftermath can lead to the establishment of new regimes or return to old power structures. They can also prompt international responses ranging from condemnation to tacit support of the new leadership based on geopolitical considerations.
The Marshall Center hosted an online conversation on Coup d’etat with participants from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States as part of our European Security Seminar – South. These highlights reflect non-attribution takeaways from the discussion and do not represent the views of individual panelists or participants. For more information on the European Security Seminar – South, click here.