The word is present in all languages of Latin origin, originally applying to such events as the military defeat of a city. If subversion fails in its goal of bringing about a coup it is possible that the actors and actions of the subversive group could transition to insurrection, insurgency, and/or guerilla warfare. Furthermore, external subversion is where, 'the aggressor state attempts to recruit and assist indigenous political and military actors to overthrow their government by coup d’état'. This is in contrast to protest, a coup d'état, or working through traditional means in a political system to bring about change. Subversion can imply the use of insidious, dishonest, monetary, or violent methods to bring about such change. However, actions taken by terrorists may have a subversive effect on society. Subversion is a manpower-intensive strategy and many groups lack the manpower and political and social connections to carry out subversive activities. Terrorist groups generally do not employ subversion as a tool to achieve their goals. In this case, being subversive can mean questioning, poking fun at, and undermining the established order in general. Subversion, however, is also often a goal of comedians, artists and people in those careers. In this context, a 'subversive' is sometimes called a ' traitor' with respect to (and usually by) the government in power. A subversive is something or someone carrying the potential for some degree of subversion. Furthermore, it is a relatively cheap form of warfare that does not require large amounts of training. Subversion is used as a tool to achieve political goals because it generally carries less risk, cost, and difficulty as opposed to open belligerency.

Following penetration, and parallel with the forced disintegration of political and social institutions of the state, these tendencies may be detached and transferred to the political or ideological cause of the aggressor'. Subversion can be described as an attack on the public morale and, 'the will to resist intervention are the products of combined political and social or class loyalties which are usually attached to national symbols. Subversion (from Latin subvertere 'overthrow') refers to a process by which the values and principles of a system in place are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, hierarchy, and social norms. Illegal consumption (such as prohibition of drugs, alcohol, and smoking).For other uses, see Subversion (disambiguation). This article is about the political concept of subversion.

Subvert means