Military Intervention, Kemalism, and Politics in Turkey
Abstract
Turkey occupies a critical geopolitical space on the world scene. As a close American ally and member of NATO, it is emerging as an increasingly important economic, political, and military player. This report examines the role of the Turkish military in Turkey's political life. Turkey has maintained one of the only democratic political systems in that part of the world, and the armed forces have taken a central role in that development. However, the pressures of modernization combined with the maturation of Turkey's democratic tradition are forcing the Turkish military to refine their perceived role as protectors and guarantors of Kemal Ataturk's reforms undertaken over the past sixty years. Considering the upheavals underway in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, and the instability present in the nearby Gulf, Turkey's role is sure to grow in importance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA236024
Entities
People
- Thomas K. Mooney