A Military coup (or coup d’état) is the overthrow of a lawful government by illegal means. This is usually accomplished through force or violence, but can also be done without either. This is sometimes called a “soft” or “bloodless” coup. The coup may be carried out by a group that has not previously been in power, or it may be a self-coup by an autocratic ruler who is trying to stop the next legal regime from taking office.
A coup requires four things to be successful: armed forces with the capacity, an interest in power, no legitimate opponent and some level of popular support. If any of these factors are lacking, the coup will fail.
Often, coups are motivated by the desire to repress a growing political challenge from the country’s citizens. In these cases, the armed forces are seen as the only force capable of suppressing a dissenting political order. Other times, the armed forces become increasingly politicized, as they attract the country’s rich elite and justify their role in governance as part of their professional duties. This makes them more likely to oppose democratization and stage a military coup in response.
Finally, international relations play a large role in how a military coup is received globally. Countries that violate democratic norms and human rights are more likely to be isolated or subject to sanctions. This can make it difficult for them to restore civilian rule once the armed forces leave.