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How islamic is islamic

Reader comment on item: Turkey's Radical Turn?

Submitted by Jonathan Lamb (Turkey), Aug 14, 2003 at 11:46

Since AKP's landslide victory last year, Turkey has been split into those who were happy about it and those who were not. For much of the electorate (65% voted for other parties) the jury is still out on AKP.

A side note about the election, Saadet Party, led by former prime minister Erbakan, got only 2% of the vote. This party is most definitely wide eyed and scary islamist.

Whilst AKP has made small moves toward a more conservative society, they stand to lose many of those who voted for them if they go too far. These are the voters who traditionally voted for concervative parties like MHP, ANAP & DYP, all of whom have religious wings, without being religious parties (Think republican). AKP like them has a pluralities of views from hardline to moderate, including those who genuinely want to join the EU. It is still unclear as to where exactly where the party leaders stand however and the fear is that undermining the Army is simply a ploy and the EU and excuse.

The clearest critisizm of AKP is not however that they wish to create a new Iran, but rather that their whole way of thinking is so old fashioned. With no true understanding of democracy, economics and world affairs, they blunder from mistake to mistake and put Turkey's future at risk. The decision not to allow US forces to use Turkey as a launch pad was not in itself an error. Rather the manner in which it happened illustrates the incompetence of a backward thinking administration. Their support comes chiefly from small traders, and the poor whose level of sophistication is very low. This is reflected in their warped sense of priorities.

AKP is a formidible party machine, which organises well and channels money from state and municipal sources into party organisation. Previous generations of politician would have taken this money for themselves. For this reason they could be on the scene for a long time and they may well be playing a long term game.
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Reader comments (17) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Question [141 words]Bige VonaFeb 14, 2006 01:4735507
Turkey and the EU [339 words]Alex CurrieMar 17, 2004 08:1314236
How islamic is islamic [337 words]Jonathan LambAug 14, 2003 11:4610576
Do we mean what we say? [85 words]Zev SternAug 13, 2003 20:0110568
hope to hear content of the new laws next offering [21 words]William KinneyAug 10, 2003 23:1710501
Mind your own business [144 words]AmericanAug 10, 2003 21:5810499
caution is suggested [35 words]fenixAug 8, 2003 10:3510480
Forewarning of What's to Come? [228 words]Ruth LowryAug 6, 2003 22:2010467
Turkey Boost/Baste? [25 words]John PalubiskiAug 6, 2003 10:2610460
Beyond the Pale [96 words]Brad ReedAug 6, 2003 10:0310459
So goes Turkey [218 words]Glenn KlotzAug 6, 2003 09:5710458
A self-defeating move? [175 words]Joshua TruaxAug 6, 2003 02:2210457
Is it Islamist to reject the Iraqi war? [224 words]PseudoerasmusAug 5, 2003 23:3610455
Two questions [76 words]Randy McDonaldAug 5, 2003 17:5610453
How popular is AKP? [265 words]J. Keen HollandAug 5, 2003 16:1710452
Islam vs. Moderation [167 words]Arlinda DeAngelisAug 5, 2003 16:0910451
FRIEND OR FOE? The stakes are huge. Stay tuned. [84 words]GRAHAM RAEL-BROOKAug 5, 2003 13:5910449

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