Will prosperity help Erdogan ?

Submitted by Lars Nielsen (Denmark), Jun 19, 2013 at 17:00

In his comment on turkish policy, mr. Pipes find, that a booming economy will help Erdogan to remain in power, whereas an economic setback will push him out of office.

Maybe so. But generally, economic growth will lead people to wish more freedom, whereas economic crisis calls for radical solutions. So maybe, the turmoil in Istanbul is heated by a growing wish for political freedom, whereas an economic setback would strengthen more radical islamic movements.

I for one therefore hope, that economic growth will continue in Turkey. For if mr. Erdogan is kicked out of office as result of an economic crisis, he might be succeeded by more radical islamic forces.

Mr. Erdogan is without doubt an islamist. But he is elected democratically. And by giving voice to so many islamic voters, he is also standing in the way of more sinister islamic aspirations.

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