Regime change in Turkey

Abstract

A series of critical developments in Turkish politics from 2007 has signalled a historic shift in the use of power in the country, long controlled by the staunch and virtually autonomous bureaucracy, both military and civilian, in the face of fragile civilian politics. A unique leverage used by civilian politics in bringing about the change has been the discourse of Europeanization. Originally a project that was part and parcel of the identity politics of the bureaucracy from the nineteenth century, the discourse seems to have been appropriated by forces defiant of the bureaucratic rule to reconfigure access to power. This shift in power may amount to nothing less than a regime change, completed and sealed in the last general election in June 2011, although it remains to be seen whether the new regime, as yet amorphous, will deliver the improved democracy it promises.