Presidential Breakdowns or Neo-Coups? Presenting a Typology of Social Legitimacy

Bibliographic Data

ID8239359
AuthorsÍtalo Beltrão Sposito (0000-0002-2764-5744, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, corresponding author)
Year2026
Publication date2026-01-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Politics in Latin America (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1868-4890 • E-ISSN: 1866-802X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1866802x251410590
OpenAlexW7123680103
LanguageEN
References cited31

Despite the conceptual and analytical differences between presidential breakdowns (PBs) and coups, the empirical decline in coups has shifted attention to disputes over the legitimacy of PBs. This study introduces a novel framework for analysing PBs’ elements that are theorised to influence their social legitimacy. The framework assesses three dimensions: First, quasi-vertical accountability considers the anticipation of elections and public mobilisation. Legitimacy is enhanced when elections are called and protests occur. Second, horizontal accountability concerns the ousting mechanism. Resignations tend to contribute to legitimacy, whereas extralegal removals face greater scrutiny. The third dimension addresses ideological switching, highlighting how legitimacy is questioned when caretaker governments differ from their predecessors ideologically. Using this framework, I classified 19 PBs in Latin America (1985–2020). The typology offers a tool for analysing future cases, selecting case studies, and identifying the risk of legitimacy crises

Accountability · Conceptual framework · Ideology · Latin Americans · Legitimacy · Legitimation · Presidential system · Prioritization · Typology · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Society in Latin America · Populism, Right-Wing Movements

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