junta

Seizure of power

A junta is a group that seizes political power, typically military officers who have overthrown a civilian government: The junta suspended the constitution and imposed martial law.

The word comes from Spanish, where it simply means a committee or council, but in English it almost always carries connotations of illegitimate rule and authoritarian control.

governance

regime

System of governance

dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
autocracyRule by one
tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance

despotism · totalitarianism · oligarchy · authoritarianism · oppression · repression · curfew · censorship · surveillance · propaganda

geopolitical

Myanmar

Renamed Southeast Asian nation

BurmaFormer name, now Myanmar
ThailandSoutheast Asian kingdom
ArgentinaSouthern cone republic

Chile · Pinochet · Greece · colonels · Brazil · Spain · Franco · Nigeria · Egypt · sanctions

coup

overthrow

Forcible removal from power

putschForcible government overthrow attempt
takeoverAssuming command of something
seizureForcible taking or convulsion

uprising · revolt · rebellion · mutiny · insurrection · usurpation · destabilization · insurgency · plot · conspiracy

council

committee

Appointed group for duties

assemblyConstructing from components
panelDistinct flat section
boardFlat rigid panel

directorate · tribunal · convocation · leadership · chiefs · cabal · clique · faction · directorate · coalition

military

coup

Abrupt seizure of power

generalWidespread, not specialized
admiralSenior naval commander
colonelSenior military officer

commander · army · uniform · barracks · battalion · brigade · garrison · officer · troops · soldier

Categories

dictatorsdictator, tyrant, despot, autocrat, Stalin
rule typesdemocracy, autocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, aristocracy
Uruguay Dictatorshipmilitary coup, military dictatorship, dictatorship, authoritarian rule, political repression
Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
governancegovernance, government, democracy, vote, parliament
governmentsdemocracy, monarchy, autocracy, oligarchy, republic

Opposites

governance legitimacy and democratic process

Rule by the people

democratic government · parliamentary democracy · constitutional republic · liberal democracy · republic

ruling body composition

juntaelected assembly

Governing body chosen by voters

parliament · legislature · elected officials · empire

military vs. civilian control

juntacivilian rule

Government by elected officials

civil authority

Phrases

military juntaRuling council of officers
junta ruleGovernance by military council

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Rated PG