Where Is Turkey Headed?
Where Is Turkey Headed? Turkey today is not the result of a sudden change; it is the result of years of the gradual concentration of power in one place. Erdoğan has not simply stepped away from Turkish politics or remained in it; over the years, he has changed the structure of Turkish politics. The difference between these two is very important. When the Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002, Turkey was struggling with economic crises and political instability. Erdoğan and his party were able to create stability and, for years, bring a large part of society along with them. This is a reality that cannot be denied. But power that is obtained through the people's vote, if it gradually moves beyond the control and balance of other institutions, can ultimately make that very vote of the people less effective. The main turning point came when political reforms were no longer only about how to govern the country; they became about how power was distributed and controlled. T...