"A military coup needs a sacrifice and courage that you can't find in an army without morale"

A military coup is not merely an act of seizing power; it demands profound levels of sacrifice and courage from those who participate in it. These are not qualities that arise spontaneously or can be ordered by command, they grow out of conviction and motivation, the sense of purpose that binds soldiers together and gives their actions meaning. In an army where morale is lacking, these essential elements are absent. The soldiers may be numerous and well-armed, but without a shared belief in their cause or a feeling of unity, they lack the inner resolve to risk their lives or betray the status quo.

Morale is the psychological bedrock of any effective military force. It sustains individuals when faced with danger or the need to make difficult, sometimes grave choices. High morale transforms an army from a collection of individuals following orders into a collective body inspired by a sense of mission; it is the intangible force that allows them to face fear, possible death, or retribution should their rebellion fail. Without this motivation, the willingness to accept great personal risk and potential sacrifice simply does not materialize.

A coup, in essence, requires more than strategic planning or superior force, it calls for a shared vision strong enough to overcome the inertia of obedience, the weight of tradition, and the fear of consequence. When morale crumbles, initiative, bravery, and selflessness dissipate; soldiers become passive, unwilling or incapable of incurring personal risk. The courage to act against superiors or a governing system, to risk one’s future for uncertain gain, is non-existent without a collective sense of injustice or hope for change. Thus, armies that lack morale lack the capacity for dramatic intervention. Sacrifice and courage must be underpinned by belief and purpose; where these are missing, only compliance and stagnation remain.