Dilemma Facing The Islamists in Turkey

Submitted by Mozere (United Kingdom), Jun 20, 2013 at 08:57

When analysing the politics of Turkey one should consider that Turkey's reform movement stretches at least to 1790 under Selim III with gathering momentum in the 19th century,therefore Ataturk's reforms rest on strong foundations and are more widespread among the populace then generally assumed .Secularism in Turkey is much more robust when compared to other Islamic nations due to these historical factors. Turkey lacking oil income has to be a commercial and tourism country in order to sustain the income levels that its citizens expect.A modern industrial state needs rule of law,political stability,ie no sectarian strife alevi vs sunni,female emancipation(doubling of workforce and consumers),interest rates.These are all incompatible with an Islamic sharia.This is the dilemma which cannot be resolved.This is the point where the Islamists hit the brick wall in Turkey. To solve this dilemma the Islamists must persuade the Turks to give up their freedoms and accept lower levels of income and higher levels of unemployment in exchange for ....what? A better chance to go to paradise in the next world, maybe?

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