Sorry Sam, there is another whopping exception to your rule correlating martial parades and military influence on government. The spectacular Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, on 26 January each year, showcases the glories and follies old and new of the Indian armed forces, from camel regiments to tanks to ballistic missiles. Yet, unlike Pakistan next door, India has a reputation for firm civilian control of the military.
(Ed. note: A follow-up post from World Politics Review, on France's military parades.)
