Is Turkey a Democracy? Examining Turkey’s Governmental Structure and Freedoms

Turkey has a complex governmental structure that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism. While Turkey holds regular elections and has democratic institutions like a parliament, critics argue that its president has amassed too much personal power, undermining checks and balances. Turkey’s record on civil liberties is also under scrutiny, especially its treatment of journalists, activists, and minority groups. This article will examine Turkey’s governmental model, political rights and freedoms, rule of law, and civil liberties to analyze if Turkey meets the criteria to qualify as a democracy.

Turkey’s Governmental Structure

Turkey is defined constitutionally as a presidential representative democratic republic. The country has an elected president serving as head of state and head of government, a unicameral parliament, and an independent judiciary. This governmental structure mixes democratic elements like regular multiparty elections with authoritarian features like concentrated executive power.

The president is elected by popular vote for up to two five-year terms and appoints the cabinet. The parliament is also popularly elected, with seats allocated based on proportional representation. The constitution enshrines the principles of free and fair elections, political pluralism, and separation of powers.

However, under constitutional changes made in 2018, the president gained sweeping executive powers that reduced checks on their authority The president can rule by decree on most issues, appoint judges, and exert control over bodies like Turkey’s election commission The broadly defined executive powers constrain the parliament’s ability to legislate independently or provide oversight.

So while Turkey holds regular elections and has nominal democratic institutions, the consolidation of power in the presidency undermines the separation of powers crucial for democracy.

Political Rights and Freedoms

Free and fair electoral processes and political pluralism are also key components of democracy. On political rights, Turkey exhibits some flaws like media bias in favor of the ruling party and politically motivated prosecutions of opposition figures. But opposition parties like the Republican People’s Party (CHP) are competitive in elections.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) dominates state institutions like the judiciary and election authorities, hampering opposition chances. But the CHP and other parties have increased their vote share over time, regained some major city mayorships, and advanced to the presidential runoff. So opportunities exist for power shifts through elections.

However, the playing field is uneven, with the AKP utilizing state resources for its advantage and targeting opposition parties with legal harassment. The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has particularly faced oppression. leading to its closure and reconstitution under a new name. But it continues to participate politically as the Green Left Party (YSP).

Freedom of speech, media independence, academic freedom, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly and association are also restricted in ways at odds with democratic norms. But diverse political discourse exists despite pressure on government critics, and civil society organizations continue operating despite adverse conditions.

So Turkey exhibits some political pluralism and space for oppositions, though considerable challenges persist. The potential banning of parties like the HDP on flimsy terrorism pretexts also looms as a major threat.

Rule of Law

An impartial judicial system upholding rule of law is essential for democracy. But Turkey’s judiciary lacks independence after extensive purges of judges and prosecutors.

Judicial bodies like the Board of Judges and Prosecutors have been stacked with government loyalists. The judiciary frequently prosecutes opposition voices and delivers verdicts aligned with AKP interests due to political pressure. Abuses like lengthy pretrial detention and denial of due process are common.

The flawed judicial system enables democratic backsliding and rights violations. It has also undermined electoral integrity, as judges linked to the AKP play key roles overseeing Turkey’s elections. While Turkey’s Constitutional Court has recently asserted some autonomy, the judiciary remains an instrument of the ruling party rather than an independent check on executive power.

Civil Liberties

Democracy requires robust civil liberties like freedom of the press and free expression. Turkey curtails these freedoms through censorship, harassment of journalists and activists, and anti-protest crackdowns.

Most Turkish media is owned by pro-government businesses and closely follows the state line. Authorities block websites, fine critical outlets, and use regulatory bodies to punish opposition channels. Turkey imprisons more journalists than almost any other country.

Individuals who criticize the government on social media or in academic work face surveillance and criminal prosecution. Public protest is also restricted, with police routinely breaking up rallies by groups spanning environmentalists to women’s rights activists.

Religious, ethnic, and sexual minorities experience discrimination and rights violations as well. The government favors the Sunni Muslim majority and denies Alevis equal status. Kurds and LGBTQ individuals face repression of their identity and politics.

While diverse viewpoints find expression, state pressure and the climate of fear imposed through harsh crackdowns on dissent contradict democratic ideals.

However, the persistence of meaningful political opposition and civil society suggest possibilities for democratization. With reforms to expand pluralism and freedoms, Turkey could potentially develop into a substantive democracy. But under current conditions, Turkey falls into that grey zone where competitive authoritarian or hybrid regimes reside. The country nominally holds elections, but lacks sufficient checks on power and protection of rights to qualify as a liberal democracy.

So in response to the question “is Turkey a democracy?” the evidence indicates it does not currently fulfill key requirements like separation of powers, judicial independence, and respect for civil liberties that characterize democratic systems. Turkey has democratic institutions but not yet a fully democratic society. Ongoing violations of political and human rights prevent Turkey from being designated a genuine democracy at this point in time. Significant reforms would be necessary to change its status to an established democracy.