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Pitfalls of Professionalism? Military Academies and Coup Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Böhmelt
  • Abel Escribà -Folch
  • Ulrich Pilster

Abstract

Military academies tend to be strongly linked to the professionalization of the armed forces. This explains why many countries in the world have created such institutions. The following article studies a potential negative externality stemming from military schools: increased coup risk. We argue that military academies may create, inculcate, and strengthen cohesive views that could conflict with incumbent policies, and that these schools establish networks among military officers that may facilitate coordination necessary for plotting a putsch. We also contend and empirically demonstrate that these negative side effects of military academies are in particular pronounced in nondemocracies, that is, military academies have diverse effects across regime types. This work has significant implications for our understanding civil–military relations. Furthermore, we contribute to the literature on military education and professionalization, as we suggest that military academies are important vehicles through which coups can emerge predominantly in authoritarian states.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Böhmelt & Abel Escribà -Folch & Ulrich Pilster, 2019. "Pitfalls of Professionalism? Military Academies and Coup Risk," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 63(5), pages 1111-1139, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:63:y:2019:i:5:p:1111-1139
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002718789744
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Cemal Eren Arbatli & Ekim Arbatli, 2016. "External threats and political survival: Can dispute involvement deter coup attempts?," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 33(2), pages 115-152, April.
    5. Perlmutter, Amos & LeoGrande, William M., 1982. "The Party in Uniform: Toward a Theory of Civil-Military Relations in Communist Political Systems," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 76(4), pages 778-789, December.
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