Democracy In Turkey Research Articles

Rules and Rights in the Middle East: Democracy, Law, and Society

Preface Introduction PART 1. OVERVIEW The Practice of Electoral Democracy in the Arab East and North Africa: Some Lessons from Nearly a Century's Experience PART 2. POWER AGAINST POWER Populism and Democracy in Turkey, 1946-1961 Taxation without Representation: Authoritarianism and Economic Liberalization in Syria State, Legitimacy, and Democratization in the Maghreb Civil Society in Israel PART 3. PRACTICAL POLITICS Prospects and Difficulties of Democratization in the Middle East American Policy toward Democratic Political Movements in the Middle East Voices of Opposition: The International Committee for a Free Iraq PART 4. THE SHADOW OF LAW Public Confessions in the Islamic Republic of Iran Obstacles to Democratization in Iraq: A Reading of Post-Revolutionary Iraqi History through the Gulf War Private Goods, Public Wrongs, and Civil Society in Some Medieval Arab Theory and Practice Index Contributors

Homosexuality and police terror in Turkey.

Being a way of sexual living as old as human history, homosexuality occupies an interesting place in the life of the Turkish people of the Republic of Turkey. This has been so since the days of the glorious Ottoman Empire. In the year 1987, instead of investigating the roots of homosexuality, the pressing need has become to present a particular view of homosexuality in Turkey today. To be more specific, there is a need to explain the problems of Turkish homosexuals and suggest certain vital solutions. Our country is constantly endeavoring to become "westernized" and it is claimed that steps are being taken toward that modernization. Despite this fact, homosexuals are confronted with such great problems that it is not difficult to justify those who say that there is no democracy in Turkey. I will try to explain these problems with documentary evidence and without exaggeration. In doing so, I shall make use of new material in my book, published under the title of Homosexuality in Turkey: Yesterday, Today. Beginning in March of 1986, we compiled a list of the attitudes of the police toward gays, involving pressure and cruelty that can be qualified as torture. Despite this situation, instead of being more democratic and humane, in April 1987 the police force employed terror tactics against homosexuals in Istanbul. This was "the straw that broke the camel's back." Soon after this act of oppression, 18 gays, acting on our suggestions, sued the police for the first time. They then submitted a petition to the Attorney-General and later launched a hunger strike in Taksim Square. These represent movements of importance in the political history of Turkey. From now on homosexuals, too, will have the right to speak out in political affairs.

The Strong State as a Problem for the Consolidation of Democracy

Consolidation of a democracy requires the establishment of a balance between the horizontal and vertical dimensions of democracy, that is, between participation and responsible leadership. The balance in question necessitates a harmonious relationship between the state and civil society. A too strong state as well as a too weak one poses difficulties for a viable democracy to flourish. This article elaborates this view by a comparison of the fortunes of democracy in Turkey and Germany. Both countries have had strong states. In Turkey, however, the state had been stronger than the state in Germany, and, as compared to the Germans, the Turks found it more difficult to consolidate their democracies.

Political parties and democracy in Turkey

Political parties and democracy in Turkey

The transition to democracy in Turkey

(1985). The transition to democracy in Turkey. Third World Quarterly: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 211-226.

Military Rule and the Future of Democracy in Turkey

Military Rule and the Future of Democracy in Turkey

Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey. The Free Party and Its Aftermath

Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey. The Free Party and Its Aftermath

Radical Politics in Modern Turkey and Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Party and its Aftermath

Radical Politics in Modern Turkey and Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Party and its Aftermath

Walter F. Weiker. <italic>Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Party and Its Aftermath</italic>. (Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East, volume 8.) Leiden: E. J. Brill. 1973. Pp. xii, 317. 84 gls

Journal Article Walter F. Weiker. Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Party and Its Aftermath. (Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East, volume 8.) Leiden: E. J. Brill. 1973. Pp. xii, 317. 84 gls Get access Weiker Walter F.. Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Party and Its Aftermath. (Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East, volume 8.) Leiden: E. J. Brill. 1973. Pp. xii, 317. 84 gls. Richard L. Chambers Richard L. Chambers University of Chicago Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The American Historical Review, Volume 80, Issue 4, October 1975, Pages 1015–1016, https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/80.4.1015 Published: 01 October 1975

Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Part and Its Aftermath

Political Tutelage and Democracy in Turkey: The Free Part and Its Aftermath

The Turkish Elections of 1957

HE LAST national elections held on October 27, 1957, mark an important stage in the history of political parties and democracy in Turkey. These elections, the fourth since the country's transition to a multi-party system, provide an excellent opportunity to study various issues shaping politics in Turkey and which will ultimately determine the future of her democracy. The Turkish multi-party system has been functioning on a continuous basis since 1945-46. Whatever its shortcomings this is the longest lasting experiment in parliamentarianism in Turkish history. The first experiment began in 1877 and 1878, and lasted several months; the second, undertaken by Young Turks, began in 1908 and ended in 1911 in the domination of the Union and Progress party; the third, initiated by Mustafa Kemal (Atatiirk) in 1930, led to the establishment of the Serbest Firka [Liberal party] of Fethi Bey (later Okyar) but was suppressed a few months later and the People's Republican party alone ruled the country until 1945.1 The last experiment in parliamentarianism was initiated by the Republican party itself in 1945 through an unusual decision to allow the establishment of opposition parties. The reasons for this decision may be sought in a variety of sources; first in the political, economic, and social transformation of the country, which necessitated a political reorganization, or at least a change which had become imperative at the end of World War II.2 (Turkey did not become directly involved in the war. She severed her relations with the Axis Powers in 1944, and later declared war on them on February 23, 1945, in order to qualify for membership in the United Nations. She kept her army in battle readiness throughout the strife by imposing heavy economic burdens on the population.) The second reason for democratization may lie in the United Nations Charter, the acceptance of which was considered a moral pledge on the part of the government to democratize the political system; besides, it was hoped that such a measure could improve Turkey's standing among her Western allies. The increasing reliance of Turkey on the West and in particular on the United States for military and economic aid made her very sensitive to the opinion of her Western allies. Con-