So what is a coup, anyway?
The Palestinian government, led by Hamas, has accused Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of trying to orchestrate "a coup against Palestinian legitimacy and the will of the Palestinian people" by calling for elections to solve the escalating crisis between Hamas and Fatah loyalists. Really? Perhaps strategically unwise, yes, but a coup attempt? I don't think so. By contrast, an opposition leader in Zimbabwe recently voiced his rejection of President Mugabe's ruling party's attempt to extend their rule as a "civilian coup," claiming that "no person should run the country without being mandated by an election. The decision to unilaterally amend the constitution without national consensus amounts to a civilian coup."
Meanwhile, this month in Beirut's Martyr's Square has been designated by some part of a greater attempt by Hizbollah and other opposition groups in Lebanon to oust the Siniora-led government in a popular - and, up until now, largely peaceful - coup. The 'Aqoul blog has an interesting discussion on the strategic use of the language of nationalism and legitimacy in this context, comparing the current demonstrations to the March 14 movement.
Does the definition of a coup depend on the objectives of the actors, the choice and legitimacy of the means, and/or the political arrangement that results?
