Coup-Proofing and Military Effectiveness in Interstate Wars, 1967–99

Ulrich Pilster and Tobias Böhmelt

Conflict Management and Peace Science, 2011, vol. 28, issue 4, 331-350

Abstract: This study examines the influence of civil–military relations on military effectiveness. More specifically, we investigate how coup-proofing, that is, the strategies and tactics employed to prevent the military from seizing power, affects battlefield performance. The main argument claims that coup-proofing has a negative impact on soldiers’ leadership qualities, initiative, and the ability to coordinate different military units. Ultimately, the higher a country’s coup-proofing efforts relative to its opponent, the worse its effectiveness on the battlefield. We test this hypothesis using data on battlefield outcomes and coup-proofing between 1967 and 1999.

Keywords: civil–military relations; coup-proofing; military effectiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:compsc:v:28:y:2011:i:4:p:331-350

DOI: 10.1177/0738894211413062

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