Turkey between Democracy and Authoritarianism

An accessible introduction to the processes which shape politics and economics in contemporary Turkey.

Ye?im Arat (Author), ?evket Pamuk (Author)

9780521138505, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 5 September 2019

308 pages, 2 maps 1 table
22.7 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.51 kg

'A must read for anyone interested in understanding contemporary Turkish politics …' H. Shambayati, Choice

Since the 1980 military coup in Turkey, much of the history and politics of the country can be described as a struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. In this accessible account of the country's politics, society and economics, the authors delve into the causes and processes of what has been called a democratic 'backsliding'. In order to explore this, Ye?im Arat and ?evket Pamuk, two of Turkey's leading social scientists, focus on the mutual distrust between the secular and Islamist groups. They argue that the attempts by a secular coalition to circumscribe the Islamists in power had a boomerang effect. The Islamists struck back first in self-defence, then in pursuit of authoritarian power. With chapters on urbanization, Kurdish nationalism, women's movements, economic development and foreign relations, this book offers a comprehensive and lively examination of contemporary Turkey and its role on the global stage.

1. Introduction
2. A long wave of urbanization
3. From military rule to civilian politics
4. Islamists in power
5. Uneven economic development and domestic politics
6. The Kurdish Revolt: nationalism and ethnicity
7. Between Europe and the Middle East
8. Women's call for democracy
9. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Political structures: totalitarianism & dictatorship [JPHX], Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Religious & theocratic ideologies [JPFR], Islam [HRH], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]