In democracies and emerging democracies around the world, surveys have shown that while most people prefer democratic governance, significant minorities in certain countries are willing to tolerate or even support military intervention when they believe civilian systems have failed to deliver security, economic stability or honest leadership. This article examines where, how and why such attitudes arise, drawing on documented surveys and historical case records.
Public Opinion Data: What Surveys Reveal
Survey Evidence from Africa and Beyond
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Recent research indicates that attitudes towards military intervention can be substantial in some contexts:
- In a 2025 Afrobarometer survey, almost half of South Africans said they would prefer army rule over how democracy is currently functioning in their country. This reflects growing dissatisfaction with unemployment, corruption and basic services.
- Across 18 West African nations, an average of around 46 % of respondents said they would support a military takeover under certain conditions, showing that perceptions of insecurity, corruption and failed transitions can drive openness to military intervention.
- In countries ruled by juntas such as Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, survey responses before and after coups found higher willingness to accept military intervention when elected leaders abuse power, even as many still expressed a preference for democratic governance.
These data show that support for military rule is not universal but exists in specific populations under particular circumstances.
Why Some Citizens Tolerate Military Intervention
Dissatisfaction with Democratic Governance
Research shows that willingness to tolerate military intervention almost always correlates with disillusionment with how democracy works:
- In several African countries, a decline in satisfaction with democracy has been accompanied by a softening opposition to military intervention, especially where people feel elected leaders are corrupt, ineffective or unable to improve livelihoods.
- In Ghana, data has shown growing agreement that the army could legitimately take control when elected leaders abuse power, reflecting frustration with democratic performance rather than an ideological embrace of authoritarianism.
This pattern indicates that citizens who express openness to military rule still value democratic ideals, and their responses primarily indicate a search for effective governance.
Historical Instances of Civilian Support for Coups
Civilian Reaction to Coup Attempts and Military Takeovers
Historical cases show that civilian reactions to military action have varied, and support often emerges in moments of political or economic crisis:
- During the 1990 Zambian coup attempt, crowds in Lusaka reportedly gathered in support of the coup leaders, reflecting public frustration with economic and political conditions at the time.
- In West African coups since 2020, including in Niger and Mali, segments of the civilian population demonstrated on the streets in support of military takeover, driven by dissatisfaction with insecurity and perceived corruption in civilian leadership.
These examples underline that populations may express support for military action in the moment of upheaval, especially when they feel unprotected or unheard. Such support is often temporary and conditional.
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Military Rule vs Democracy: A Nuanced Public View
Despite spikes in openness to military intervention under certain conditions, most populations still express overall support for democratic governance when asked directly:
- Large-scale global surveys have shown that while some people express support for strong leaders or military rule in certain scenarios, the majority of respondents across regions still favour democratic systems in principle.
- In countries with histories of military dictatorship, public memory of abuses, repression and poor governance continues to temper enthusiasm for returning to such systems.
The overall picture is not binary support for coups versus democracy; it is a complex set of attitudes in which citizens weigh security, governance effectiveness, and democratic ideals in forming their opinions.
Author’s Note
This article has synthesised verifiable survey data and historical records to show that while significant minorities in some countries express openness to military intervention, this is not equivalent to broad public endorsement of military dictatorship. Such attitudes tend to emerge in specific contexts of dissatisfaction with democratic performance, insecurity or governance failures, and often reflect temporary frustration rather than a wholesale rejection of democracy. The data reveal the need for institutional reforms addressing corruption, economic hardship and political mismanagement if democracies are to maintain public confidence and reduce tolerance for non-democratic alternatives.
References
• Afrobarometer flagship survey reports on attitudes to democracy and military rule.
• Afrobarometer and related regional surveys on public willingness to tolerate military intervention.
• Historical records of civilian reactions to coup attempts and military takeovers
