On January 6, a mob emboldened by US President Donald Trump seized control of the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C. in an attempt to block the transition of the Presidency to Joe Biden. These events resembled a coup. How much did this coup attempt resemble others internationally? Is this the beginning of an era of undemocratic actions against peaceful transitions following elections? Doug Becker speaks with Anne Meng and Naunihal Singh.

Anne Meng is an Assistant Professor in Political Science at the University of Virginia. She is an expert in authoritarian politics and institutions and is the author of Constraining Dictatorship.

Naunihal Singh is an Assistant Professor in National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. He is an expert in civil-military relations and is the author of Seizing Power: The Strategic Logic of Military Coups.

Podcast: 

 

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guests and not necessarily the views of The Big Q. 

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