Military coups have increased over the last year and a half. What is driving this challenge to democracy? How concerned should we be? Regional organisations and powerful states have sometimes played important roles in averting takeovers by military coups. How successful have they been? How can they improve? Doug Becker speaks with Fabrice Lehoucq, Joseph Wright, Jonathan Powell, and Clayton Thyne.

Fabrice Lehoucq is a Professor in Political Science at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He is an expert in comparative politics.

Joseph Wright is a Professor in Political Science at Pennsylvania State University. He is an expert in comparative politics and is the co-author of How Dictatorships Work.

Jonathan Powell is an Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. He is an expert in international relations.

Clayton Thyne is a Professor in Political Science at the University of Kentucky. He is an expert in domestic conflict and coups.

Podcast:

 

This interview originally aired on the Scholars’ Circle. To access our archive of episodes and download this interview, click here.

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guests and not necessarily the views of The Big Q. 

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