“Praxicopematics” and Reforma Pactada: The Greek and Spanish Military Reaction to Democratization by Regime Transformation

Based on the well-known case of the Spanish military’s reaction to the reforma pactada (transition by regime transformation) of 1976–1977, this article aims to compare the little-known yet similar Greek attempt of regime transformation of 1973, the “Markezinis experiment,” which met the fierce opposition of Greek hard-liners and rapidly collapsed. This comparison between the effective “praxicopematics” (military coup action) in Greece and the familiar case of the failed Spanish military reaction reveals common perceptions of the position of the army toward regime transformation to democracy, as well as differences in organization, tactics, and preparation (or lack thereof) of both regime soft-liners and plotters.