A military dictatorship is a dictatorship in which the military exerts complete or substantial control over political authority, and the dictator is often a high-ranked military officer. The reverse situation is to have civilian control of the military.

Creation and evolution

Most military dictatorships are formed after a ''coup d'état'' has overthrown the previous government. There have been cases, however, where the civilian government had been formally maintained but the military exercises ''de facto'' control—the civilian government is either bypassed or forced to comply with the military's wishes. For example, from 1916 until the end of World War I, the German Empire was governed as an effective military dictatorship, because its leading generals had gained such a level of control over Kaiser Wilhelm II that the Chancellor and other civilian ministers effectively served at their pleasure. Alternatively, the Empire of Japan after 1931 never in any formal way drastically altered the constitutional structure of its government, but from that point, it is typically seen as a military dictatorship, since the Army and Navy had the effective legal right to veto the formation of undesirable governments (and also to compel the resignation of an existing government that had lost their favor), and since key cabinet posts traditionally held by civilians (especially the Premiership) were instead filled by active flag officers. Military dictatorships may gradually restore significant components of civilian government while the senior military commander still maintains executive political power. As an example, the Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990), Chilean military dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet conducted a 1980 Chilean constitutional referendum, plebiscite in 1980 that instituted a new constitution, thus legitimizing the regime's rule.

Justification

In the past, military juntas have justified their rule as a way of bringing political stability for the nation or rescuing it from the threat of "dangerous ideologies". For example, the threat of communism, socialism, and Islamism was often used. Military regimes tend to portray themselves as non-partisan, as a "neutral" party that can provide interim leadership in times of turmoil, and also tend to portray civilian politicians as corrupt and ineffective. One of the almost universal characteristics of a military government is the institution of martial law or a permanent state of emergency.

Comparison with other forms of authoritarianism

Comparison with monarchies

A military dictatorship is distinct from an absolute monarchy, although there are some similarities, especially concerning how the two are (or historically have been) established. Virtually all absolute monarchs (and even most constitutional monarchy, constitutional monarchs) are commanders-in-chief of their nations' militaries, wear military uniforms at least on a ceremonial basis and hold military ranks and/or titles. Also, senior members of royal families, especially if they are male and/or heirs apparent or presumptive, are expected to perform military service prior to ascending the throne. Moreover, almost all monarchies (both current and defunct) established themselves over the past centuries and millennia by force of arms. A key difference between a monarchy and a military dictatorship is that once they are established and recognized by their subjects (a process that has often taken many generations) a monarchy typically establishes some form of hereditary succession to legitimately transfer power from generation to generation, and while there historically have been many cases of disputed claims to a throne, attempting to seize power through sheer force of arms without some sort of credible hereditary claim is usually regarded as illegitimate and/or illegal by monarchists. In constitutional monarchies the monarch is usually the commander-in-chief and is often formally the highest-ranking military officer but in practice is expected to defer to the advice of civilian ministers, especially when appointing flag officers who will exercise actual operational command, thus maintaining civilian control of the military. On the other hand, modern military dictatorships typically eschew hereditary succession with long-lasting juntas often emphasizing the traditional methods of promotion within the officer ranks as the eventual path to civil power. Military dictatorships which have attempted to establish themselves as monarchies or otherwise implement hereditary succession, whether or not by attempting to establish themselves as monarchies, have often collapsed very quickly. In one example, Oliver Cromwell after deposing and executing King Charles I of England refused all offers to take the England, English Crown, but nevertheless attempted to have power transferred after his death to his son Richard Cromwell; however, the younger Cromwell lacked the respect or support of the English military establishment, and was thus quickly forced to relinquish power. In another, a few years after Coup of 18 Brumaire, staging a coup and establishing himself as the French First Republic's dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself France, French First French Empire, Emperor. Although he subsequently married a Habsburg princess and sired Napoleon II, an heir to his newly established throne, Napoleon's claim to power was never fully accepted by French royalists who supported the deposed House of Bourbon, nor by other European monarchies. Eventually, Napoleon's armies were defeated and he was forced to abdicate and go into exile. Although Napoleon III, Napoleon's nephew eventually re-established the Bonapartism, Bonapartist monarchy for a time, his seizure of power might be better described in the context of a civilian dictatorship as described in the next section.

Comparison with civilian dictatorship

A military dictatorship is also different from civilian dictatorship for a number of reasons: their motivations for seizing power, the institutions through which they organize their rule and the ways in which they leave power. Often viewing itself as saving the nation from the corrupt or myopic civilian politicians, a military dictatorship justifies its position as "neutral" arbiters on the basis of their membership within the armed forces, which in many countries are nominally expected to be apolitical institutions. For example, many Junta (governing body), juntas adopt titles along the lines of "Committee of National Restoration", or "National Liberation Committee". Military leaders often rule as a junta, selecting one of themselves as a head.

Current cases

Former cases

Country names in bold are ones that are currently a military dictatorship.

Africa

# (Houari Boumédiène, 1965–1976; High Council of State (Algeria), 1992–1994; Ahmed Gaid Salah, 2019) # (Christophe Soglo, 1963–1964; 1965–1968; 1969–1970; Mathieu Kérékou, 1972–1990) # (Sangoulé Lamizana, 1966–1980; Saye Zerbo, 1980–1982; Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo, 1982–1983; Thomas Sankara, 1983–1987; Blaise Compaoré, 1987–2014; Gilbert Diendéré, 2015; Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, 2022–present) # (Michel Micombero, 1966–1974; Jean Baptiste Bagaza, 1976–1979; Pierre Buyoya, 1987–1992; 1996–2003) # (Jean-Bédel Bokassa, 1966–1979; André Kolingba, 1981–1986; 2003–2005; Central African Republic Civil War, 2013–2014) # (Chad under Félix Malloum, 1975–1979; Hissene Habre, 1982–1990; Mahamat Déby, 2021–present) # (Oupa Gqozo, 1990–1994) # (Azali Assoumani, 1999–2006) # (Alfred Raoul, 1968–1969; Joachim Yhombi-Opango, 1977–1979) # (Robert Guéï, 1999–2000) # (Egyptian Revolution of 1952, 1953–1956; Hosni Mubarak, 1981–2011; Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, 2011–2012; Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, 2014) # (Derg, 1974–1987) # (Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council, 1994–1996) # (National Liberation Council, 1966–1969; National Redemption Council, 1972–1975; Supreme Military Council (Ghana), 1975–1979; Provisional National Defence Council, 1981–1993) # (1984–1990; National Council for Democracy and Development, 2008–2010; National Committee of Reconciliation and Development, 2021–present) # (1980–1984; 1999; 2003; 2012) # (Justin Lekhanya, 1986–1991; Elias Phisoana Ramaema, 1991–1993) # (People's Redemption Council, 1980–1986) # (Muammar Gaddafi, 1969–2011) # (1972–1976) # (Moussa Traoré, 1968–1992; Amadou Sanogo, 2012; 2020 Malian coup d'état, 2020, 2021 Malian coup d'état, 2021–present) # (Military Committee for National Recovery, 1978–1979; Military Committee for National Salvation, 1979–1992; Military Council for Justice and Democracy, 2005–2007; High Council of State (Mauritania), 2008–2009) # (Seyni Kountché, 1974–1987; Ali Saibou, 1987–1993; Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, 1996–1999; Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, 2010–2011) # Nigerian military juntas of 1966–79 and 1983–99, Nigeria (Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, 1966; Yakubu Gowon, 1966–1975; Murtala Mohammed, 1975–1976; Olusegun Obasanjo, 1976–1979; Muhammadu Buhari, 1983–1985; Ibrahim Babangida, 1985–1993; Sani Abacha, 1993–1998; Abdulsalami Abubakar, 1998–1999) # (Juvénal Habyarimana, 1973–1994) # (1995; 2003) # (National Reformation Council, 1967–1968; Valentine Strasser, 1992–1996; Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, 1997–1998) # (Supreme Revolutionary Council (Somalia), 1969–1976; 1980–1991) # (Ibrahim Abboud, 1958–1964; National Revolutionary Command Council (Sudan), 1969–1971; Transitional Military Council (1985), 1985–1986; Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation, 1989–1993; Transitional Military Council (2019), 2019–present) # (Gnassingbe Eyadema, 1967–2005) # (Bantu Holomisa, 1987–1994) # (Idi Amin, 1971–1979; Tito Okello, 1985–1986; Yoweri Museveni, 1986–2004) # (Gabriel Ramushwana, 1990–1994) # (Mobutu Sese Seko, 1965–1997) # (2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état, 2017–2018)

Americas

# (Juan Manuel de Rosas, 1835–1852; 1930 Argentine coup d'état, 1930–1932; 1943 Argentine coup d'état, 1943–1946; Revolución Libertadora, 1955–1958; Argentine Revolution, 1966–1973; National Reorganization Process, 1976–1983) # (1839–1843; 1848; 1857–1861; 1861; 1864–1871; 1876–1879; 1899; 1920–1921; 1930–1931; 1936–1940; 1943–1946; 1951–1952; History of Bolivia (1964–1982), 1964–1982) # (1889–1894; Brazilian military government, 1964–1985) # (Government Junta of Chile (1924), 1924–1925; Government Junta of Chile (1925), 1925; Carlos Ibanez del Campo, 1927–1931; Government Junta of Chile (1932), 1932; Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–90), 1973–1990) # (1854; Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, 1953–1958) # (1868–1870; 1876–1882; Dictatorship of the Tinoco Brothers, 1917–1919) # (1933; Fulgencio Batista, 1952–1959) # (1882–1899; Rafael Trujillo, 1930–1961; 1963–1965) # (Ignacio de Veintemilla, 1876–1883; 1925–1926; Alberto Enríquez Gallo, 1937–1938; Carlos Mancheno Cajas, 1947; Ecuadorian Military Junta of 1963, 1963–1966; Guillermo Rodríguez (politician), 1972–1976; Supreme Council of Government, 1976–1979; 2000 Ecuadorian coup d'état, 2000) # (1885–1911; Military dictatorship in El Salvador, 1931–1979; Revolutionary Government Junta of El Salvador, 1979–1982) # (Jorge Ubico, 1931–1944; 1944–1945; Carlos Castillo Armas, 1954–1957; 1957–1966; 1970–1986) # (Hudson Austin, 1983) # (1946; Paul Magloire, 1950–1956; 1956–1957; National Council of Government (Haiti), 1986–1990; Raoul Cédras, 1991–1994) # (1933–1949; Military Government Council, 1956–1957; Oswaldo López Arellano, 1963–1971; 1972–1982; 2009 Honduran coup d'état, 2009–2010) # (Centralist Republic of Mexico, 1835–1846; Victoriano Huerta, 1913–1914) # (Somoza family, 1937–1979) # (1903–1904; Manuel Noriega, 1968–1989) # (Higinio Morínigo, 1940–1948; El Stronato, 1954–1989) # (Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco, 1843–1844; Mariano Ignacio Prado, 1865–1868; José Balta, 1868–1872; Nicolás de Piérola, 1879–1881; Óscar R. Benavides, 1914–1915; Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro, 1930–1933; Óscar R. Benavides, 1933–1939; Manuel Odría, 1948–1956; Ricardo Pérez Godoy, 1962–1963; Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Peru, 1968–1980) # (National Military Council (Suriname), 1980–1991) # (Venancio Flores, 1865–1868; Lorenzo Latorre, 1876–1879; Gabriel Terra, 1933–1938; Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay, 1973–1985) # (Julián Castro (Venezuelan politician), 1858–1859; José Antonio Páez, 1861–1863; Juan Crisóstomo Falcón, 1863–1868; José Ruperto Monagas, 1869–1870; Joaquín Crespo, 1892–1898; Cipriano Castro, 1899–1908; Juan Vicente Gómez, 1908–1935; Military dictatorship in Venezuela, 1948–1958)

Asia

# (Mohammed Daoud Khan, 1973–1978; Saur Revolution, 1978) # (Presidency of Ziaur Rahman, 1977–1981; Hussain Mohammad Ershad, 1982–1990) # (Khmer Republic, 1970–1975; Hun Sen, 1997–1999) # (Dong Zhuo, 189–192; Empire of China (1915–1916), 1915–1916; Zhang Zuolin, 1927–1928; Chiang Kai-shek, 1928–1948) # Goguryeo (Yeon Gaesomun, 642–665; Yeon Namsaeng, 665; Yeon Namgeon, 665–668) # Goryeo (Goryeo military regime, 1170–1270) # (New Order (Indonesia), 1966–1998) Jenderal TNI Soeharto

# (Reza Shah Pahlavi, 1925–1941; Fazlollah Zahedi, 1953–1955; Regency Council (Iran), 1978–1979) # (1933–1935; 1936 Iraqi coup d'état, 1936; 1937–1938; Salah al-Din al-Sabbagh, 1941; 1949–1950; 1952–1953; Abd al-Karim Qasim, 1958–1963; Abdul Salam Arif, 1963–1968) # (Shōgun, 1192–1867; Tōseiha, 1931–1940; Statism in Shōwa Japan, 1940–1945) # (Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, 1961–1963; Fourth Republic of Korea, 1972–1981; Fifth Republic of Korea, 1981–1987) # (Sounthone Pathammavong, 1959–1960) # (Michel Aoun, 1988–1990) # (Manchukuo, 1932–1945) # (Burmese Way to Socialism, 1962–1988; State Peace and Development Council, 1988–2011; State Administration Council, 2021–present) # Kingdom of Nepal, Nepal (Swarup Singh Karki, 1776–1777; Vamsharaj Pande, 1776–1779; Sarbajit Rana Magar, 1777–1778; Vamsharaj Pande, 1782–1785; Mulkaji, 1785–1804; Mukhtiyar, 1806–1837; 1838–1840; 1840–1846; Rana dynasty, 1846–1951) # (Abdullah al-Sallal, 1962–1967; Ibrahim al-Hamdi, 1974–1977; Ahmad al-Ghashmi, 1977–1978; Abdul Karim Abdullah al-Arashi, 1978; Ali Abdullah Saleh, 1978–1990) # (Mohammad Ayub Khan, 1958–1969; Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, 1969–1971; Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, 1977–1988; Pervez Musharraf, 1999–2008) # (Dictatorial Government of the Philippines, 1898; Second Philippine Republic, 1943–1945; Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, 1972–1981) # (1963 South Vietnamese coup, 1963–1967) # (1949; 1951–1954; Salah Jadid, 1963–1970, Hafez al-Assad, 1970–2000) # (Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion, 1948–1975) # (Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena, 1933–1938; Plaek Phibunsongkhram, 1938–1944; Phin Choonhavan, 1947; Plaek Phibunsongkhram, 1948–1957; Sarit Thanarat, 1957; 1959–1963; Thanom Kittikachorn, 1963–1973; Sangad Chaloryu, 1976; 1977; Kriangsak Chamanan, 1977–1979; Sunthorn Kongsompong, 1991; Sonthi Boonyaratglin, 2006; Surayud Chulanont, 2006–2008; National Council for Peace and Order, 2014–2019) # (Revival Lê dynasty, 1533–1789; Trịnh lords, 1558–1788) # (Ali Abdullah Saleh, 1990–2012)

Europe

# (Zog I of Albania, 1925–1939) # (First Republic of Armenia, 1918–1920) # (Surat Huseynov, 1993–1994) # (1923 Bulgarian coup d'état, 1923–1926; 1934 Bulgarian coup d'état, 1934–1935; 1944 Bulgarian coup d'état, 1944–1946) # (Nikos Sampson, 1974) # (Napoleon, 1799–1814; Cabinet of General Cavaignac, 1848; 1851 French coup d'état, 1851–1858; Government of National Defence, 1870–1871) # (Military Council (Georgia), 1992) # (Oberste Heeresleitung, 1916–1918) # (The Protectorate, 1653–1659) # (Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis, 1909–1910; Anastasios Charalambis, 1922; Sotirios Krokidas, 1922; Stylianos Gonatas, 1922–1924; Theodoros Pangalos (general), 1925–1926; Alexandros Othonaios, 1933; Georgios Kondylis, 1935; Greek military junta of 1967–1974, 1967–1974) # (Artúr Görgei, 1849) # (Janko Vukotić, 1913–1915; Milo Matanović, 1915–1916; 1917) # (Józef Piłsudski, 1926–1935; Martial law in Poland, 1981–1983) # (Joaquim Pimenta de Castro, 1915; Sidónio Pais#Government and presidency, 1917–1918; Ditadura Nacional, 1926–1933; National Salvation Junta, 1974–1975) # (Ion Antonescu, 1941–1944) # Russian State (1918–1920), Russia (Alexander Kolchak, 1918–1920) # (Fatti di Rovereta, 1957) # (Miguel Primo de Rivera, 1923–1930; Francoist Spain, 1936–1975) # (Three Pashas, 1913–1918) # (National Unity Committee, 1960–1961; 1971 Turkish military memorandum, 1971–1973; 1980 Turkish coup d'état, 1980–1983) # (Dictatorship of Garibaldi, 1860) # (Pavlo Skoropadskyi, 1918)

Oceania

# (Sitiveni Rabuka, 1987–1999; 2006 Fijian coup d'état, 2006–2014)

Notes

Source

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Dictatorship Military dictatorships, Constitutional state types Military sociology Civil–military relations