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Grist to the mill of subversion: strikes and coups in counterinsurgencies
[journal article]
Abstract Why are acts of organized resistance associated with coups? Inspired by the Arab Spring, a large literature suggests that militaries confronted with civil resistance tend to side with protesters and oust their government. In the historically most coup-prone environment of insurgencies, however, alli... view more
Why are acts of organized resistance associated with coups? Inspired by the Arab Spring, a large literature suggests that militaries confronted with civil resistance tend to side with protesters and oust their government. In the historically most coup-prone environment of insurgencies, however, alliances between the military and protesters are implausible because soldiers suspect insurgents behind social dissent. Disentangling different types of resistance, this article analyzes whether and how strikes, demonstrations, riots, and guerrilla attacks affect the military's disposition and ability to stage a coup during counterinsurgencies. We argue that only strikes trigger coup attempts. Soldiers interpret strikes as manifestations of a strengthening subversive enemy that threatens their victory over insurgents, while economic elites support a coup in the hope that the military will terminate costly walkouts. This interest alignment fosters military takeovers. We provide case-study evidence from Cold War Argentina and Venezuela to show our suggested mechanism at work. Demonstrating the scope of our argument, we quantitatively analyze coup attempts in counterinsurgency worldwide (1950-2005). Results show that strikes increase wartime coup risk, whereas demonstrations, riots, and guerrilla attacks do not. The findings highlight the backfiring potential of nonviolent resistance with important implications for post-coup political orders and democratization prospects.... view less
Keywords
Latin America; South America; Argentina; Venezuela; national state; domestic security; conflict; military; society; coup d'etat; resistance movement; protest movement; civil disobedience; case study; statistical analysis
Classification
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Free Keywords
Aufstandsbekämpfung; Politische Unruhen; Umsturzbestrebungen; Umsturz; Militärputsch; Streitkräften
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
Page/Pages
p. 1032-1060
Journal
European Journal of International Relations, 26 (2020) 4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066120923028
ISSN
1354-0661
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed