Understanding Coups: Historical Insights and Modern Implications

This chapter explores the complexities of coup d'etats, tracing their evolution alongside the development of modern bureaucracies and governance structures. The speakers analyze how political authority can diverge from state machinery, facilitating internal takeovers and influencing loyalty dynamics within various regimes. Through historical examples, they reflect on the interplay between governance, power, and community, emphasizing the precarious nature of modern political systems.