Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 374
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4422-2271-7 • Hardback • October 2013 • $128.00 • (£98.00)
978-1-4422-2272-4 • eBook • October 2013 • $121.50 • (£94.00)
Ivan Perkins is assistant adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law, where he teaches law and international affairs.
Part I: Solid States
Chapter 1: The Coup-Free Zone
Chapter 2: The Most Serene Republic
Chapter 3: The Last British Revolutionary
Chapter 4: The Coup-Free State
Chapter 5: George Washington: The Anti-Napoleon
Part II: Interlude: Deep Background
Chapter 6: True Banana Republics
Chapter 7: Intoxicating Republican Moments
Part III: The International Arena
Chapter 8: Self-Interest, Stupidity, and Confusion
Chapter 9: A Brief History of Meddling
Chapter 10: The Neutrality Privilege
Chapter 11: Best Friends
Epilogue
In a well-reasoned analysis, the author of this book describes and explains a decline in military coups over the past eight centuries in certain nations . . . .His argument is persuasive. . . .Perkins's Vanishing Coup constitutes the best study currently in print on what produces military coups and what prevents them.
— Historian
By the end of the book . . . it is clear that Perkins’ overall thesis is sound and significant. . . .Vanishing Coup will make valuable reading for diplomats, scholars, or NGO leaders working in disputed areas. . . .[The author] has identified an essential element to the remarkable peace that seems to have contributed to the cessation of the historical bellum omnium contra omnes in the last 50-150 years.
— Global Policy
Ivan Perkins has identified a momentous yet underappreciated development in human history and has assembled a vast amount of evidence and a coherent narrative around it. Vanishing Coup is a major contribution to history and political science and a fascinating read.
— Steven Pinker, author of Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
Perkins makes a significant contribution with this well-written and interesting book. Surveying a far broader range of historical circumstances than most scholars attempt, he arrives at sweeping conclusions relating to both international warfare and domestic violence. His emphasis on elements of political culture, notably rule of law and transparency, deserves a prominent place in discussions on how to preserve governments and foster peace.
— Spencer Weart, author of Never at War: Why Democracies Will Not Fight One Another