When to expect a coup d'état? An extreme bounds analysis of coup determinants

Arbeitspapier

Over the last several decades, both economists and political scientists have shown interest in coups d'état. Numerous studies have been dedicated to understanding the causes of coups. However, model uncertainty still looms large. About one hundred potential determinants of coups have been proposed, but no consensus has emerged on an established baseline model for analyzing coups. We address this problem by testing the sensitivity of inferences to over three million model permutations in an extreme bounds analysis. Overall, we test the robustness of 66 factors proposed in the empirical literature based on a monthly sample of 164 countries that covers the years 1952 to 2011. We find that slow economic growth rates, previous coup experiences, and other forms of political violence to be particularly conducive to inciting coups.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: KOF Working Papers ; No. 409

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions ; National Security; Economic Nationalism ; National Security and War ; Basic Areas of Law: General (Constitutional Law)
• Subject: Coups d'état ; Military coups ; Coup-proofing ; Extreme bounds analysis

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gassebner, Martin ; Gutmann, Jerg ; Voigt, Stefan
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): ETH Zurich, KOF Swiss Economic Institute
• (where): Zurich
• (when): 2016

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.3929/ethz-a-010698271
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/148975
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET