Turkey has no oil

Submitted by hamana (United Kingdom), Jan 11, 2011 at 09:54

I agree with Mr Zala but would like to add a further point concerning why Turkey is unlikely to be a theocracy.Turkish society is far more sophisticated than theIranian. Turkey has no oil or gas.The turkish government depends on the enterprise of its citizens for revenue.It cannot function effectively if it were to undermine its entrepreneurs with anachronistic values.It must have a manufacturing base which can compete globally.This means reasonble transparency, rule of law,reasonably efficient educational system which teaches people to think rationally,instill leadership qualities,gender equality to be able to tap into female workforce etc.

I admit at this moment these institutions are not 100% ,but the basics are there to be improved on.The thing holding Turkey back is the conflict in the east.This is poisoning everything.This the reason for the rise of antiwestern feeling in Turkey as they rightly orwrongly beleivethat the west is dividing their country.For most of the people antiwesternism is not a religious issue.Economic conditions does not give the country the luxury to ditcth its present position and head a hostile confederation of muslim nations whereby loosing all its export markets,and that is quite apart from the fact that is it possible to run a modern economy under the sharia.However if the Turks said so be it their economy will collapse and Turkey will not be able to lead anything.Most likely scenario is that Turkey will act to safeguard its own interests without alianating the west too much and get closer to the Brics. and the moslem world.

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