Vanishing Coup - The Pattern of World History since 1310 (Hardcover, New)

How did the Republic of Venice go 486 years without a single coup d'etat or coup attempt? Is it the same force that has generated stability in Britain since 1746, in the United States since 1776, and in a growing number of nations around the world? This thoughtful and engaging book offers the first extended analysis of coups, which have played a central role in world history and politics. Ivan Perkins draws on his extensive research on the history and inner workings of coups to explain how a small but growing number of nations have escaped chronic violence and built states with perpetually peaceful transfers of power. Readers will explore the rising coup-free zone, from the baroque system behind 486 years of stability in Venice to today's heavy-handed but efficient regime in Singapore. Along the way, the author recounts some of history's most gripping political intrigues: the spontaneous street uprising against King Tarquinius Superbus in Rome, the machinations of Bengali officials that launched the British Empire, and the fears that compelled General Pinochet to join a coup and become dictator of Chile. Perkins examines in detail the first three coup-free states. He argues against the standard theory of stability, which holds that professional military officers are so thoroughly trained in ethics and civilian control that leading a coup would be unthinkable. Instead, he proposes a new and simpler interpretation: stability is founded not on ethics but on law. An impartial rule of law weakens personal loyalty relationships, especially within the political-military establishment, and inhibits grand criminal conspiracies. The book concludes with a new explanation for the "democratic peace" and shows why coup-free states form enduring alliances.

General

Imprint:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	October 2013
First published:	October 2013
Authors:	Ivan Perkins
Dimensions:	237 x 159 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	374
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-1-4422-2271-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > General Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > International relations > General Books > History > World history > General Promotions
LSN:	1-4422-2271-9
Barcode:	9781442222717

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