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The New Turkey and Its Discontents
The Turkey of today little resembles that of recent decades. Its economy has expanded hugely, new political elites have emerged, and the once powerful Kemalist military is no longer a potent and dominant political player. Meanwhile, new prosperity has had many unexpected social and political repercussions, pre-eminent among which is the advent of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which first came to power in 2002 by downplaying its Islamist leanings and marketing itself as a center-right party.
After several terms in office, and amid unprecedented popularity, the conduct of the AKP and its leading cadres has faced growing criticism. Turkey has yet to solve its Kurdish question, and its foreign policy is increasingly under threat as it balances relations with Iran, Israel, Iraq and Russia, to name only a few of its more demanding interlocutors. Widespread domestic protests gripped the country in 2013. The government is now perceived by many to be corrupt, unaccountable, intimidating of the press and intolerant of alternative political views and criticism. Has this once promising democracy descended into a tyranny of the majority led by a charismatic leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan? Is Turkey more polarized now than ever in its recent history? These are among the questions posed in this timely primer on a rising economic power.
After several terms in office, and amid unprecedented popularity, the conduct of the AKP and its leading cadres has faced growing criticism. Turkey has yet to solve its Kurdish question, and its foreign policy is increasingly under threat as it balances relations with Iran, Israel, Iraq and Russia, to name only a few of its more demanding interlocutors. Widespread domestic protests gripped the country in 2013. The government is now perceived by many to be corrupt, unaccountable, intimidating of the press and intolerant of alternative political views and criticism. Has this once promising democracy descended into a tyranny of the majority led by a charismatic leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan? Is Turkey more polarized now than ever in its recent history? These are among the questions posed in this timely primer on a rising economic power.
- GenresPoliticsMiddle East
360 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 26, 2017
The New Turkey And Its Discontents provides a detailed account of how Turkey’s application to accede to the European Union created conditions that prompted a diminished influence of the military in Turkey’s civil affairs and the space for the AKP and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to dominate Turkish politics.
The book touches upon the history of the modern Turkish state. However, its focus is the past twenty years particularly the rise of the AKP. The book explores the AKP’s desire to “create a harmonious fusion between 'conservatism' and 'democracy'” and how defining the party's orientation thus “was then used by the AKP government to highlight Turkey as a country that could reconcile Islam with democracy, serving as an example for other countries in the region” (60-61), before proceeding to demonstrate how the AKP has consolidated political power and the impact of this on freedom of the press, free enterprise, and human rights (particularly on the Kurds who were originally supportive of the AKP).
It’s a very illuminating and disheartening read. Recommended.
The book touches upon the history of the modern Turkish state. However, its focus is the past twenty years particularly the rise of the AKP. The book explores the AKP’s desire to “create a harmonious fusion between 'conservatism' and 'democracy'” and how defining the party's orientation thus “was then used by the AKP government to highlight Turkey as a country that could reconcile Islam with democracy, serving as an example for other countries in the region” (60-61), before proceeding to demonstrate how the AKP has consolidated political power and the impact of this on freedom of the press, free enterprise, and human rights (particularly on the Kurds who were originally supportive of the AKP).
It’s a very illuminating and disheartening read. Recommended.
July 14, 2017
VERY informative. Maybe too informative? A great way to contextualize the political climate in Turkey, but heavy on the use of political lingo that had me feeling lost at times.
February 25, 2018
This a good book about the contemporary political climate in Turkey, and the background for this. It is clear that writing a book about such a moving target is influencing the result, but I think this book still is a useful tool to understand AKP and Turkey of today.
February 4, 2020
A great book for a general overview of Turkey’s politics, especially late 20th to 21st century. Content wise this is five stars.
Four stars because I read it for class and probably would not have picked it up nor finished it otherwise. It did not necessarily excite me enough to warrant five stars.
Four stars because I read it for class and probably would not have picked it up nor finished it otherwise. It did not necessarily excite me enough to warrant five stars.
August 16, 2017
It has the capacity to be quite a comprehensive book about present Turkey and remain an enjoyable read.
April 19, 2018
Ok, so this book took me longer than expected, but it took time to appreciate every word, thought, and page. I don’t think I’ve ever written more notes in a book before, sorry authors!
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February 22, 2018320.09561 W164 2017
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews