Outline any four ways of preventing military intervention in politics.

Answer Details

Military intervention in politics can be discouraged and prevented in the following ways:

1. Good and accountable governance: civilian leaders should govern well, provide for the welfare of the people, avoid corruption and misrule, and give the military no genuine excuse to seize power.
2. Adequate welfare and professionalisation of the armed forces: soldiers should be well paid, well equipped and well trained, and made to imbibe a professional ethic that keeps them loyal to the constitution and out of politics.
3. Free, fair and credible elections: conducting transparent elections and respecting their results removes the political tension and disputes that often invite the military to intervene.
4. Civilian (democratic) control of the military: the armed forces should be firmly subordinated to the elected civilian authority, with clear constitutional provisions confining them to defence duties.
5. Strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law: an independent judiciary, a vibrant legislature, a free press and respect for the constitution build public confidence in civilian rule and reduce the appeal of coups.

Additional measures include political education and mobilisation of the citizens to resist and condemn coups, and severe legal punishment for those who attempt to overthrow constitutional government.