Forms of Government and the Occurrence of Coups D'Etat

About the Book

This book provides a comprehensive empirical picture of the relationships between the various forms of government and democratic survivability as indicated by the occurrence of coups.

Chapter 1 deals with basic definitions, typologies, and related studies. Ten basic forms (e.g., presidential, parliamentary republic, etc.) are identified into which 192 countries are classified accordingly. The review of related studies centered on the seminal Linz hypothesis about the greater democratic survivability of the parliamentary systems, as well as on the subsequent studies that either supported or attempted to falsify the same. Notable are the corroborative studies of Stepan and Skach and the adverse critiques hurled by some other scholars. The author attempted to throw more light upon the arena of discourse by examining both the pros and cons of the debate, in light of theoretical and empirical considerations. The Stepan and Skach conclusion(s) - and ipso facto the Linz hypothesis--apparently survived the onslaught.

Chapter 2 provides further warrant of the hypothesis, that is, that parliamentary systems apparently experience a significantly lower incidence of coups, signifying greater democratic stability. This is the clear showing of both bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses, abundantly used in this book.

Chapter 3 explores the empirical nexus between the subordinate forms (i.e., centralized, unicameral, etc.) and the occurrence of coups. Findings show that the centralized (unitary) states are not significantly different from the decentralized or noncentralized (federal) states in respect to the incidence of coups. Likewise, the unicameral countries appear to be more democratically survivable than the bicameral.

About the Author

The author holds the doctorate degree in education (administration) which he earned from the University of the Philippines in 1981. Likewise, he earned the graduate diploma in economics of education and education in developing countries from the University of London (1985-1986), as a British Council fellow.

He taught courses in educational administration, economics of education, and research at the University of the Philippines from where he retired as associate professor. As lecturer in other universities, he used to teach public administration, fiscal administration, and statistics. He wrote the following: Data Organization and Analysis in a Computer Environment, c1995 & c1997, ISBN 971-91402-08; Classroom Observation and Related Fallacies: Lessons for Educational Administration, c1996, ISBN 971-91402-1-6; Humor and Madness, c1997, ISBN 971-91402-3-2 which is recognized by the London-based records organization for having the longest preface; "Toward an Objective Evaluation of Teacher Performance: The Use of Variance Partitioning Analysis, VPA," Education Policy Analysis Archives; Vol. 13, No. 30, May 6, 2005; ISSN 1068-2341; Arizona State University.

He is an Eminent Fellow, American Biographical Institute; Life Fellow, International Biographical Association (England); Distinguished Member, International Society of Poets; Nominee, World Champion Amateur Poet, International Society of Poets (2001, 2002); Outstanding Ilocano Educator (2005), University of Northern Philippines (Vigan); Recipient, "Decree of Excellence in Education, 2005", International Biographical Centre.

Some of his poems are included in the anthologies: Rainstorms and Rainbows and Taking Flight, published by The International Library of Poetry; and 2001 - A Poetic Odyssey, Famous Poets Society.

Email address:
edalicias@yahoo.com