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The Democratic Coup d'État
The term coup d'�tat--French for stroke of the state--brings to mind coups staged by power-hungry generals who overthrow the existing regime, not to democratize, but to concentrate power in their own hands as dictators. We assume all coups look the same, smell the same, and present the same threats to democracy.
It's a powerful, concise, and self-reinforcing idea. It's also wrong.
In The Democratic Coup d'�tat, Ozan Varol advances a simple, yet controversial, argument: Sometimes, a democracy is established through a military coup. Covering events from the Athenian Navy's stance in 411 B.C. against a tyrannical home government, to coups in the American colonies that ousted corrupt British governors, to twentieth-century coups that toppled dictators and established democracy in countries as diverse as Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, and Colombia, the book takes the reader on a gripping journey.
Connecting the dots between these neglected events, Varol weaves a balanced narrative that challenges everything we thought we knew about military coups. In so doing, he tackles several baffling questions: How can an event as undemocratic as a military coup lead to democracy? Why would imposing generals-armed with tanks and guns and all-voluntarily surrender power to civilian politicians? What distinguishes militaries that help build democracies from those that destroy them?
Varol's arguments made headlines across the globe in major media outlets and were cited critically in a public speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Written for a general audience, this book will entertain, challenge, and provoke, but more importantly, serve as a reminder of the imperative to question the standard narratives about our world and engage with all ideas, no matter how controversial.
It's a powerful, concise, and self-reinforcing idea. It's also wrong.
In The Democratic Coup d'�tat, Ozan Varol advances a simple, yet controversial, argument: Sometimes, a democracy is established through a military coup. Covering events from the Athenian Navy's stance in 411 B.C. against a tyrannical home government, to coups in the American colonies that ousted corrupt British governors, to twentieth-century coups that toppled dictators and established democracy in countries as diverse as Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, and Colombia, the book takes the reader on a gripping journey.
Connecting the dots between these neglected events, Varol weaves a balanced narrative that challenges everything we thought we knew about military coups. In so doing, he tackles several baffling questions: How can an event as undemocratic as a military coup lead to democracy? Why would imposing generals-armed with tanks and guns and all-voluntarily surrender power to civilian politicians? What distinguishes militaries that help build democracies from those that destroy them?
Varol's arguments made headlines across the globe in major media outlets and were cited critically in a public speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Written for a general audience, this book will entertain, challenge, and provoke, but more importantly, serve as a reminder of the imperative to question the standard narratives about our world and engage with all ideas, no matter how controversial.
248 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 7, 2017
The Democratic Coup d’Etat opens with a simple statement of its controversial premise: “Sometimes democracy is established through a military coup.” In the ensuing 200 pages, Ozan Varol’s new book presents a nuanced examination of the factors that comprise a military coup and how it may (may) result democracy: the makeup of the military forces, the relationship between the military and the governing dictatorship, the relationship between the populace and the military after the coup. Anyone interested in the creation and maintenance of functioning democracies will find valuable insights within its pages.
One of the first striking things about the book is encountering the sheer number of dictatorships in recent world history. The book is rife with examples illustrating different causes and outcomes of military coups, ranging from the recent events in Turkey to Burkina Faso in 2014, Romania under Ceausescu, Portugal in 1974, Peru in 1975, Brazil in ’45, Guatemala in ’44, and many others.
But the events of the Arab Spring provide the most prominent touchstone in the book. Partially inspired by the events in Cairo in 2011, where the Egyptian military toppled of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak following months of popular protests against the regime, the book frequently returns to this recent example of how the military may play a role in both installing and overthrowing a democratically-elected government.
Varol’s description of the factors that create a military coup are fascinating. I had never before considered the difference between a “military state” and a “police state,” and how that affects civilians’ attitudes to the armed forces. Another interesting chapter analyzes how a military decides to support or crush a burgeoning democratic movement, comparing volunteer military forces to “citizen-soldiers” serving mandatory conscription and likely to have closer ties to members of a popular uprising.
While reading the first sections of the book, I wondered what lessons democratic activists could learn from this history. A late chapter, “Between Scylla and Charbydis,” provides a helpful analysis. There, Varol describes the difficult passage civilians must navigate in a post-coup society: the military will demand from the new government certain “exit benefits,” such as structuring the new civilian government to grant the military greater power in domestic affairs, in exchange for handing control back to the people. If civilians wish to negotiate against the military’s demands, they will have to do so without provoking a heavy-handed backlash from the armed forces. Varol suggests civilians can take anticipatory action for these circumstances and describes bargaining positions, such as “sunset dates” that gradually reduce military involvement in politics. Subsequent chapters in the book further describe this kind of high-stakes society-wide hostage negotiation, as well as the organizing that civilian political parties must do to gain and maintain popular support and establish a balanced civil-military relationship.
The book is valuable not just for its analysis of the ways militaries interact with democratic institutions, but for its description of how civilians can build democratic institutions that withstand antidemocratic forces and prevent military coups. Following foreign events like the Arab Spring from afar can be difficult, but Varol breaks down military involvement in these uprisings in clear and engaging chapters. The Democratic Coup d’Etat is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics underlying contemporary democracy.
One of the first striking things about the book is encountering the sheer number of dictatorships in recent world history. The book is rife with examples illustrating different causes and outcomes of military coups, ranging from the recent events in Turkey to Burkina Faso in 2014, Romania under Ceausescu, Portugal in 1974, Peru in 1975, Brazil in ’45, Guatemala in ’44, and many others.
But the events of the Arab Spring provide the most prominent touchstone in the book. Partially inspired by the events in Cairo in 2011, where the Egyptian military toppled of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak following months of popular protests against the regime, the book frequently returns to this recent example of how the military may play a role in both installing and overthrowing a democratically-elected government.
Varol’s description of the factors that create a military coup are fascinating. I had never before considered the difference between a “military state” and a “police state,” and how that affects civilians’ attitudes to the armed forces. Another interesting chapter analyzes how a military decides to support or crush a burgeoning democratic movement, comparing volunteer military forces to “citizen-soldiers” serving mandatory conscription and likely to have closer ties to members of a popular uprising.
While reading the first sections of the book, I wondered what lessons democratic activists could learn from this history. A late chapter, “Between Scylla and Charbydis,” provides a helpful analysis. There, Varol describes the difficult passage civilians must navigate in a post-coup society: the military will demand from the new government certain “exit benefits,” such as structuring the new civilian government to grant the military greater power in domestic affairs, in exchange for handing control back to the people. If civilians wish to negotiate against the military’s demands, they will have to do so without provoking a heavy-handed backlash from the armed forces. Varol suggests civilians can take anticipatory action for these circumstances and describes bargaining positions, such as “sunset dates” that gradually reduce military involvement in politics. Subsequent chapters in the book further describe this kind of high-stakes society-wide hostage negotiation, as well as the organizing that civilian political parties must do to gain and maintain popular support and establish a balanced civil-military relationship.
The book is valuable not just for its analysis of the ways militaries interact with democratic institutions, but for its description of how civilians can build democratic institutions that withstand antidemocratic forces and prevent military coups. Following foreign events like the Arab Spring from afar can be difficult, but Varol breaks down military involvement in these uprisings in clear and engaging chapters. The Democratic Coup d’Etat is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics underlying contemporary democracy.
November 6, 2017
Varol asks a question - the answer to which is contrary to many entrenched views. Can a military coup be an instrument of democratic advancement? The books advances its arguments through very detailed research and answers this bedrock question. This part of the book is interesting for anyone with an interest in how and why democracy might take root.
But this isn't the most interesting part of the book. Beneath the scholarly exterior there lurks the shadow of an author who is willing to engage difficult subject matter in a way that is contrary to our expectations. In this way it reminded me of someone like Malcolm Gladwell or the "freaky" duo of Levitt and Dubner. It makes a claim that we might all like to resist thinking about - might a strong military have to step in to right a domestic wrong? At least in the case of a coup overthrowing a dictator the answer seems to be...it depends but often...yes. The work flirts with a military solution to domestic problems and for now, narrows its subject matter to what is perhaps a laudable conclusion.
In this, the work is successful. However, the reader should be forewarned - the text is capital "D" Dense. It is likely to be inaccessible to anyone without a formal education and even then its surface matter is probably most appreciated by someone with a deep interest in the evolution of democracy in societies. I think in this way the text does a disservice to its more interesting themes. The risk of being turned off by the at times "stodgy" tone to absorb the more interesting material is great.
However, it is for sure worth a read to anyone who is willing to give it a chance and look beyond its ivory veneer. What lurks below is worth it.
But this isn't the most interesting part of the book. Beneath the scholarly exterior there lurks the shadow of an author who is willing to engage difficult subject matter in a way that is contrary to our expectations. In this way it reminded me of someone like Malcolm Gladwell or the "freaky" duo of Levitt and Dubner. It makes a claim that we might all like to resist thinking about - might a strong military have to step in to right a domestic wrong? At least in the case of a coup overthrowing a dictator the answer seems to be...it depends but often...yes. The work flirts with a military solution to domestic problems and for now, narrows its subject matter to what is perhaps a laudable conclusion.
In this, the work is successful. However, the reader should be forewarned - the text is capital "D" Dense. It is likely to be inaccessible to anyone without a formal education and even then its surface matter is probably most appreciated by someone with a deep interest in the evolution of democracy in societies. I think in this way the text does a disservice to its more interesting themes. The risk of being turned off by the at times "stodgy" tone to absorb the more interesting material is great.
However, it is for sure worth a read to anyone who is willing to give it a chance and look beyond its ivory veneer. What lurks below is worth it.
November 8, 2017
This timely nonfiction book provides an insightful introduction to a nuanced area of sociopolitical inquiry that Varol seems to have single-handedly created--that of the democratic coup d'etat. Does this sound like an oxymoron to you? Varol is counting on that.
The premise of this book is that generally coups have a bad rap. We expect nothing good to come of them. By using many historical examples and drawing from literature and pop culture, Varol effectively argues that contrary to the bad taste in our collective mouth, coups can and have ushered in some semblance of democracy on occasion. Interestingly, Varol lays out some ground rules for what kinds of coups qualify and which do not. For example, Varol asserts that "a coup can be democratic only if it topples an authoritarian government." He explores the potential interests and motivations of military actors compellingly.
Varol employs an authoritative (pun intended) and thoughtful tone in the book. At times, I grew tired of the many counterarguments he explores. He often considers what the reader might be thinking while reading and I found myself feeling slightly patronized by what I perceived to be a bit of condescension. Varol takes great care to reserve the right to add nuance to every defined word or piece of his argument. However, this being an academic endeavor and Varol being a law professor, that approach comes with the territory.
What kept me reading was how Varol expertly weaved together historical events into narratives that were both engaging and persuasive. I recommend this book to anyone interested in world history, democracy, current affairs, or politics.
The premise of this book is that generally coups have a bad rap. We expect nothing good to come of them. By using many historical examples and drawing from literature and pop culture, Varol effectively argues that contrary to the bad taste in our collective mouth, coups can and have ushered in some semblance of democracy on occasion. Interestingly, Varol lays out some ground rules for what kinds of coups qualify and which do not. For example, Varol asserts that "a coup can be democratic only if it topples an authoritarian government." He explores the potential interests and motivations of military actors compellingly.
Varol employs an authoritative (pun intended) and thoughtful tone in the book. At times, I grew tired of the many counterarguments he explores. He often considers what the reader might be thinking while reading and I found myself feeling slightly patronized by what I perceived to be a bit of condescension. Varol takes great care to reserve the right to add nuance to every defined word or piece of his argument. However, this being an academic endeavor and Varol being a law professor, that approach comes with the territory.
What kept me reading was how Varol expertly weaved together historical events into narratives that were both engaging and persuasive. I recommend this book to anyone interested in world history, democracy, current affairs, or politics.
November 6, 2017
This book is clearly a well-researched and intricate read. Varol does an excellent job of painting an elaborate picture of both his research and his own experiences as he watches history unfold. While this is not just a bit of light reading, it truly makes the reader think critically and consider Varol's hypothesis, found plainly in the first paragraph of the book: "Sometimes democracy is established through a military coup." I like that the thesis of such a dynamic book is stated from the get go; no guessing or reading between the lines, and it puts the reader in a position from which they can more clearly understand the more difficult parts of the points being made. Varol, a Turkish-born law professor, brings forth an interesting perspective as he questions different coups throughout history and the world. Although I wouldn't call it an easy read, The Democratic Coup d'Etat strikes the perfect balance of being both entertaining and informative (and really any militaristic book that quotes Bob Dylan songs MUST be good). From Napoleon's time to the birth of America, to the Egyptian National Democratic Party, there is something for history and military buffs of all walks of life.
November 7, 2017
This book is terrific! Before I started reading, I didn't really know what to expect. The books I have read in the past are typically either true crime of politician memoirs, so the genre the Democratic Coup D'Etat falls into was very new to me. However, after reading this book, I am very glad that I expanded my book repertoire into a new genre.
This book exceeded my expectations and then some. Varol does an excellent job laying out his hypothesis, and backing up his hypothesis with specific instances of coups that have occurred around the world. At first it may seem that Varol's hypothesis is controversial and taboo in a sense, but after reading the evidence Varol used to back up his hypothesis, his hypothesis makes logical sense. The fact that Varol's hypothesis has been criticized by a world leader in the past shows Varol is on to something.
The book is well-written, clear, concise, and to the point. I highly recommend "The Democratic Coup d'Etat." To anyone reading this, you won't regret buying this book whatsoever.
This book exceeded my expectations and then some. Varol does an excellent job laying out his hypothesis, and backing up his hypothesis with specific instances of coups that have occurred around the world. At first it may seem that Varol's hypothesis is controversial and taboo in a sense, but after reading the evidence Varol used to back up his hypothesis, his hypothesis makes logical sense. The fact that Varol's hypothesis has been criticized by a world leader in the past shows Varol is on to something.
The book is well-written, clear, concise, and to the point. I highly recommend "The Democratic Coup d'Etat." To anyone reading this, you won't regret buying this book whatsoever.
November 4, 2017
This book challenges some of the common narratives concerning military coups, and brings valuable nuance and realism to the literature on democratization. Through insightful historical analysis, the author demonstrates that, in certain circumstances, a military coup can be a natural first step in the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. At the same time, the author avoids applauding coup makers writ large or romanticizing the military as a singular, altruistic institution. Part history lesson, part political theory, and part personal narrative, this book is at all times a good read and is accessible to anyone interested in the subject matter. Highly recommend.
November 6, 2017
Comparative politics may not be everyone's idea of a leisure reading genre, but "The Democratic Coup d'État" could very well change your mind. This book would be equally at home in a university library or your bedside table. Varol's accessible prose brings a thought-provoking and thoroughly researched work of political science to life, exploring the relationship between militaries and democratic transitions throughout history.
October 24, 2017
This is a great book by a new author. Ozan Varol takes a very complex and nuanced topic, pulls it apart, and eloquently explains how the default conventional wisdom of assuming all coups are bad, is wrong. This is a fresh perspective, written in a compelling and accessible way, where you don’t need a political science or law degree to understand the argument.
October 30, 2017
In his thought provoking book about the relationship between civil and military arms of a state during crisis and transition, Ozan provides a well-researched account of both ancient and modern historical events that will satisfy any academic, yet one that is written in a style that is engaging to academic and lay audiences alike. Through this survey of diverse historical events, Ozan subtly weaves his narrative thesis on the relationships between military and civil society, and dictators and democracies. A worthy read for anyone who enjoys historical nonfiction or politics.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews