The Decline and Fall of the Turkish Model

[unhappycamper]

http://www.juancole.com/2014/02/decline-turkish-model.html

The Decline and Fall of the Turkish Model
By Juan Cole | Feb. 25, 2014
(By Erdağ Göknar for IslamiCommentary)

Most observers agree that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has mishandled the current political crisis. The AKP, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, once aspired to civil society and pluralism, but has recently embraced a strain of single-party authoritarianism. The government has sought increased control over the judiciary and the media; exacting a high price in terms of domestic politics (freedom of expression), foreign policy (Turkey’s regional leadership role), and economic growth (a mainstay of the AKP platform). In the process the “Turkish model” — a successful mix of democracy, market capitalism and Islamic conservativism — has been endangered through the rising tyranny of the AKP’s parliamentary majority.

Some liken Turkish politics to a melodrama; major internal tensions have unfolded in the run up to municipal elections (Mar. 30, 2014), the first-ever presidential election by popular vote (August 2014) and a general election in June of 2015. But this political theater currently playing out also threatens to do long-term damage to Turkey’s regional and global influence.

Obstructions of Justice vs. Freedom of Information

On Dec. 17, 2013 a corruption and bribery investigation linked to the government’s urban renewal projects and patronage networks went public. Dozens of people were arrested on suspicion of corruption, including the sons of three AKP ministers.

Erdoğan, acting swiftly upon his return from Pakistan the following week, had all the police officers involved in executing the corruption case removed or reassigned. He reshuffled his cabinet at the same time as four ministers affiliated with the case resigned. He removed the public prosecutors who had initiated the case, and has since started legal inquiries against them. And the prime minister prevented the execution of a second wave of corruption arrests on Dec. 25, subsequently placing limits on the authority of the judiciary so it would no longer be able to execute such cases.

[MADem]

1. IMO the real "Turkish Model" is the one created by Ataturk.

If Turkey goes too far afield, we may see it come back again...

The citizens of Turkey might wake up one morning to a smiling general on the tv, telling the people that they'll be running things for a bit until new elections can be scheduled. Nothing to worry about, mind...!



It's happened before...

[bemildred]

2. Having the right "model" won't get you far if you are corrupt. nt