Turkey has undergone major political changes in recent years under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, leading some to wonder if the country is shifting towards communism. In this article, we’ll examine Turkey’s political ideology, government structure, and policies to analyze whether it can be considered a communist state.
Understanding Communism
To determine if Turkey is communist we first need to define what communism is. Communism is a political and economic ideology based on common ownership of production and property absence of social classes, and worker control of the means of production [1].
Under communism the state controls all aspects of the economy. There is no private property or private industry – everything is owned communally and distributed by the government. Communist states usually have one-party rule by a communist party and adhere to Marxist-Leninist principles.
Some well-known communist countries historically and presently include the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam.
Turkey’s Political System
Turkey has a republican parliamentary representative democratic system. The country’s constitution establishes a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches [2].
Some key facts about Turkey’s political structure:
- Turkey has a multi-party system with several political parties spanning the ideological spectrum. The current ruling party is the AKP.
- Regular free elections are held for president and parliament.
- Private ownership of property and businesses is permitted.
- Freedom of speech, media, and protest are restricted but still exist.
- Term limits restrict presidents to two 5-year terms.
This political structure does not resemble a classic communist system. There is no single communist party monopoly on power nor full state control of all property and production.
Is the AKP a Communist Party?
The AKP, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, describes itself as a conservative democratic party, not communist. It adheres to a moderate Islamist ideology, supporting a greater role for religion in public life.
The AKP has enacted some economic policies aligned with communism, such as greater state intervention in the economy. However, private enterprise still thrives in Turkey, especially compared to true communist states.
There are some active communist parties in Turkey, such as the Communist Movement of Turkey, but they hold little political power [3]. These parties advocate for classic Marxist-Leninist communism, but have not managed to fundamentally reshape Turkey’s economic or political systems in this direction.
Shifts Under Erdogan’s Rule
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership for nearly 20 years, Turkey has experienced concerning democratic backsliding:
- Consolidation of presidential powers over parliament and judiciary
- Restrictions on press freedom and jailing of journalists
- Purges of political dissidents and critics
- Increased state control over the economy
However, there are still many elements of democracy and capitalism intact. Turks can still vote in relatively free elections, own private property, operate businesses, and access non-state media.
While Erdogan has grown increasingly authoritarian, it would be inaccurate to characterize Turkey as fully communist currently. Some experts have labeled it “competitive authoritarianism” or “illiberal democracy” – sitting between democracy and dictatorship [2].
The Bottom Line
Despite concerning anti-democratic trends, Turkey does not meet the criteria to be defined as a communist state. There is no single communist party in power, Marxist-Leninist ideology is not official policy, private enterprise still exists, and elections still occur, even if flawed.
Turkey shows a mix of political ideologies and economic policies under Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian rule. But communism remains confined to small opposition parties without national power. While Turkey’s democracy is under threat, it remains a predominantly capitalist republic for now. The future trajectory remains uncertain as Erdogan continues consolidating control.
Why the world is worried about Turkey
FAQ
Does Turkey have communism?
What countries are communist?
What is the communist symbol of Turkey?
What is the People’s Communist Party of Turkey?
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People’s Communist Party of Turkey Halkın Türkiye Komünist Partisi
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Headquarters
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Istanbul, Turkey
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Newspaper
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İleri!
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Ideology
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Communism Marxism–Leninism
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Political position
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Far-left
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Why is Turkey a democratic country?
Turkey’s democratic travails have conventionally been explained through the supposed clash between Islam and secularism. Turkish democracy is generally — and inadequately — understood to have been undermined by the military allegedly staging coups to protect secularism and, in recent years, by the Islamist ambitions of Mr. Erdogan.
When did Turkey join the EU?
One-party rule ended in 1950, and periods of instability and military coups have since fractured the multiparty democracy, in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997, and 2016. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and NATO in 1952. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005.
Is Turkey a Resilient Democracy?
Optimists see this episode as evidence of the resilience of Turkey’s democracy. Pessimists say that a government capable of such shenanigans in a local contest could go to even greater extremes to win an election in which Mr Erdogan’s career and the future of his new Turkey may be on the line. So far, the pessimists seem to be winning the argument.
Which countries are currently practicing communism?
Many of these nations, such as India, have multi-party political systems, and several are liberalizing their economies, like Portugal. Only five communist countries remain today: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. Communism encompasses both political and economic control, with single-party governance and centralized economic planning.