Political Leaders and Democracy in Turkey

by Heper, Metin; Sayari, Sabri; Acar, Feride; Arat, Yesim; Cinar, Alev; Cizre, Ümit; Harris, George; Landau, Jacob M.; Mango, Andrew; Özadalga, Elisabeth; Özbudun, Ergun; Tachau, Frank

• ISBN13: 9780739103524
• ISBN10: 0739103520
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-06-12
• Publisher: Lexington Books

Summary

Since the founding of the modern Turkish republic in 1923, Turkey's political leaders have been decisive in shaping the development of their country's democratic patterns and processes. Beginning with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Political Leaders and Democracy in Turkey analyzes the origins, political careers, beliefs, and policies of eleven of modern-day Turkey's most influential leaders. The chapters offer a unique perspective into the complex and fascinating world of Turkish political leadership and the transition to, and consolidation of, democracy. This crucial addition to Turkish studies and comparative politics is the first book to undertake a systematic study of the role political leaders have played in shaping the successes, as well as the shortcomings, of Turkey's grand democratic experiment.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Introduction	p. 1
Ataturk: Founding Father, Realist, and Visionary	p. 9
Ismet Inonu: A Rationalistic Democrat	p. 25
Celal Bayar: Conspiratorial Democrat	p. 45
Adnan Menderes: Between Democratic and Authoritarian Populism	p. 65
Suleyman Demirel: National Will and Beyond	p. 87
Bulent Ecevit: From Idealist to Pragmatist	p. 107
Necmettin Erbakan: Democracy for the Sake of Power	p. 127
Alparslan Turkeys: A Colonel Turned Politician	p. 147
Turgut Ozal: Pious Agent of Liberal Transformation	p. 163
Mesut Yilmaz: From Ozal's Shadow to Mediator	p. 181
Tansu Ciller: Lusting for Power and Undermining Democracy	p. 199
Conclusion	p. 217
Selected Bibliography	p. 239
Index	p. 249
About the Contributors	p. 257
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