Turkey: Identity, Democracy, Politics

Is a secular constitutional democracy safely anchored within the system of government of the country? The growth in recent years of an Islamic party wanting its share in the running of affairs raises many questions. Was it to be another political party - albeit one with a religious affiliation - or was it eventually to develop into a fundamentalist party demanding an altogether different regime? All these questions have suddenly become obsolete since the Constitutional Court decided on 16 January 1998 to close down the Welfare Party. This volume covers a variety of topics, all of which shed light on puzzling issues. The discussions range over national and international politics, democracy and freedom of the press, voting patterns, official control of indigenous music, and conditions in industrial estates. Essential for a broader understanding of Turkey, a country which is trying hard to become part of the European Community.