Political Folklore: The Folklore of Political Coups

A political coup is the sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government.

Chile experienced a series of military coups in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to political instability and economic decline.

A military junta is a situation where a group of military officers seizes power from a civilian government.

Chile experienced a military coup in 1973, leading to the overthrow of President Salvador Allende and the establishment of a military dictatorship.

A civilian coup is a situation where a group of civilians seizes power from a government.

Venezuela experienced a civilian coup in 1999, leading to the overthrow of President Carlos Andrés Pérez and the establishment of a civilian government.

Foreign intervention is a situation where a group of foreign powers seizes power from a government.

Iraq experienced a foreign intervention in 2003, leading to the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein and the establishment of a new government.

A religious coup is a situation where a group of religious leaders seizes power from a government.

Iran experienced a religious coup in 1979, leading to the overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of an Islamic republic.

An ethnic coup is a situation where a group of ethnic or national minorities seizes power from a government.

Rwanda experienced an ethnic coup in 1994, leading to the overthrow of President Juvenal Habyarimana and the Rwandan genocide.

A criminal coup is a situation where a group of criminals or gangsters seizes power from a government.

Panama experienced a criminal coup in 1991, leading to the overthrow of President Guillermo Endara and the establishment of a military dictatorship.

A terrorist coup is a situation where a group of terrorists seizes power from a government.

Afghanistan experienced a terrorist coup in 2021, leading to the overthrow of President Ashraf Ghani and the establishment of a Taliban government.