The Triumph of an Islamic Party in Turkey: Effects of the Democtatisation Process on the Rise of the Justice and Development Party (AKP)

Abstract

The triumph of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has an absolute majority in Turkish Parliament, is not a sudden incidence. It is worth exploring the roots of this triumph within the democratisation process of the country. During the Turkish democratisation process, several breakdowns and restorations have occurred and military regimes have attempted to change the Turkish party and election system in accordance with their expectations. However, many of these interventions, which were imposed by the military regimes, have had positive affects on the recent rise of the Justice and Development Party.