self-coup
Leader seizes power
A self-coup is when a sitting leader seizes extraordinary power by suspending the constitution, dissolving the legislature, or otherwise dismantling the legal limits on their own authority.
Unlike a traditional coup, the threat comes from inside the government rather than outside it: The president's declaration of emergency rule amounted to a self-coup.
Also called an autocoup or autogolpe.
Concentrated, unchecked governmental power
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
Authority exceeding its limits
- emergency powersExpanded governmental authority during crises
- prorogationFormal legislative recess
- power consolidationConcentrating authority in one place
- electoral manipulationCorrupting democratic processes dishonestly
Fundamental governmental legal conflict
- legitimacy crisisDoubt in rightful rule
- political instabilityFragile governmental conditions
- power vacuumAbsence of governing authority
- succession crisisContested leadership transfer
political polarization · civil unrest · sanctions · diplomatic isolation
authoritarianism
Concentrated, unchecked governmental power
- autocracyRule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
executive overreach
Authority exceeding its limits
- emergency powersExpanded governmental authority during crises
- prorogationFormal legislative recess
- power consolidationConcentrating authority in one place
constitutional crisis
Fundamental governmental legal conflict
- legitimacy crisisDoubt in rightful rule
- political instabilityFragile governmental conditions
- power vacuumAbsence of governing authority
succession crisis · political polarization · civil unrest · sanctions · diplomatic isolation
self-coupforeign invasion
Military entry by outsiders
military coup · palace coup · putsch · armed insurrection · popular uprising
self-coupdemocratic transition
Shift from autocracy to elected rule
electoral mandate · plebiscite · referendum · constitutional reform · inauguration
self-coupabdication
Formal surrender of power
stepping down · democratization · decentralization · voluntary resignation · resignation
self, coup, coups, selves, selfhood, selfless, selflessness, selfish, selfishness