This book discusses various aspects of the 'grand struggle' between bureaucratic/authoritarian center and democratic periphery. Issues such as nationalism, secularism, Islamism, militarism and Kemalism are…
This book discusses various aspects of the 'grand struggle' between bureaucratic/authoritarian center and democratic periphery. Issues such as nationalism, secularism, Islamism, militarism and Kemalism are dealt with as well as the Kurdish question, political parties, the EU membership process and relations with the USA. Though covering a wide time span and array of issues, the articles share a common stand: they seek to develop a 'post-Kemalist' reading of contemporary Turkish politics. In its entirety this book provides the reader with an alternative perspective on the 'current history of Turkey', and raises the following issues and questions: Is Kemalism compatible with democracy? How to explain anti-Westernism of the neo-Kemalists? Is secularism or democracy under threat? The AK Party: Islamist or democrat? The CHP: social democrat or authoritarian? Can Turkey bridge Europe and Islam via EU Membership?
