Legitimacy and Military Intervention in a Democracy |
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| Authors: | Daniel. Sutter |
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| Affiliation: | [Daniel Sutter is assistant professor of economics at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019;().] His research interests include military'intervention in politics, democratization, the control of politicians via elections and direct constraints, and the enforcement of constitutions. |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT I examine the role legitimacy plays in the establishment and maintenance of democratic regimes, specifically how people's legitimacy preferences affect a military coup D'état in a mature democracy. Citizens can, under certain circumstances, deter a military takeover by refusing to cooperate with the junta's laws and proclamations. Noncooperation with a military regime, however, faces several hurdles, including a free-riding problem since a legitimate regime is a public good. Although interest groups can overcome this collective action problem, I conclude they lack a general incentive to defend democracy.' |
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