Most people probably associate the phrase ‘coup d’etat’ with a sudden, violent takeover, with tanks around government buildings, takeover of media channels, purges of dissidents, arrests, and so on. But this is not always the case. The usurpers can also seize power without violence, in a completely legal and democratic way, with the consent or even enthusiasm of the people. There are many ‘existential threats’ (climate crisis, refugee crises, terrorism, pandemics etc.) that can be used to establish a firmer and more centralised governance. This can be a gradual process, barely perceivable until it’s almost a fait accomplí. This urgent book describes the process, reveals the methods, and identifies the agents.