Civilian elites, however they're defined, have acolytes, clients and admirers. They wouldn't be elite if they didn't. If their path to power is by allying themselves with a coherent organization with guns and a fair chance of success, and then ordering, dragging or cajoling their followers along, it doesn't surprise me that there's significant civilian support for coups. When the dust settles after a successful coup, the elites, civilian and military, will be better off; which was the point in the first place. Of course, their followers and supporters are, at best, where they always were, but often worse off. The elite's rationale for action might be cloaked in an aura of national salvation, but patriotism of this form is truly the last refuge of a scoundrel.

> “epidemic of coup d'états”

Mister Secretary General, it is “epidemic of coups d'état”.