Cannibal Democracies, Theocratic Secularism: The Turkish Version

Authors

• Edip Yuksel

Abstract

Symposium: Cannibal Democracies: Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey

The article critically examines Turkey's democratic framework, arguing that its version of democracy diverges significantly from Western models due to its unique interpretation of secularism and the disproportionate influence of the military and political elite. The analysis highlights how the Turkish Constitutional Court's frequent banning of political parties, particularly the Welfare Party in 1998, undermines democratic processes and often leads to authoritarian governance. The article contends that Turkey's Constitution, drafted under military supervision, lacks political legitimacy and contains provisions that restrict individual and group rights, perpetuating a system of oligarchy and corruption. It also critiques the U.S. for supporting Turkey despite its poor human rights record and expresses hope for a more inclusive and genuinely democratic future.

Disciplines

Banking and Finance Law | Comparative and Foreign Law | Human Rights Law | Law

Recommended Citation

Edip Yuksel, Cannibal Democracies, Theocratic Secularism: The Turkish Version, 7 Cardozo J. Int'l & Comp. L. 423 (1999).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cjicl/vol7/iss3/2