The authoritarianism of Turkey's military-civilian bureaucracy: the neglected problem in the Islam and democracy Equation
The authoritarianism of Turkey's military-civilian bureaucracy: the neglected problem in the Islam and democracy Equation

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses briefl y the widespread view that religiosity is the main problem for democracy in Turkey. As a counter-argument, it raises the question of the continuing presence of the military in Turkish politics, which is often legitimated with the need to guarantee ‘Turkey’s secular character’. The author analyses the problems stemming from the ideology and policy of ‘laicism’. He defends the thesis that democratisation and liberalisation of Turkish society require, inter alia, lifting a series of restrictions on religious activities. The latter cannot be viewed automatically as a threat to Turkey’s secular character, and even less as a threat to democracy in the country.

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