Why do generals attempting to coup always storm the palace? What happens next? Why do ordinary soldiers follow them? Are they in on the plot?
In: Economics
Usually the head of a military branch or unit, someone with huge influence over their soldiers and equipment, isn’t happy with the way things are running. Over time they have installed people into their ranks who are loyal to them and will follow orders without question. At some point they feel their numbers and equipment could take on the rest of the government forces or can catch them off guard and consolidate further power quickly by winning alliances with opposition politicians, businesses or other military units before the government has time to react and build up their forces.
In some cases this works, especially if the government is fractured or key battles are won quickly and early. But sometimes there is enough opposition or maybe no real willingness to complete a coup from the attackers, which gives time to nullify the threat and restore order.
The Bolivia threat yesterday looked like someone who was a bit pissed off and thought he could force a change, however, he failed to realise that opposition forces & voices outnumbered his own.
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