Context and Circumstance

The Turkish Military and Politics

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations, History, Military
Cover of the book Context and Circumstance by Gareth Jenkins, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gareth Jenkins ISBN: 9781136047442
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Gareth Jenkins
ISBN: 9781136047442
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Debates about military influence on civilian government tend to be partisan and rarely pay sufficient attention to specific contexts. This paper analyses, without condemnation or justification, why and how the military exercises such influence in Turkey and whether it is likely to continue to do so. It argues that the role of the military in Turkey grows out of a specific Turkish context and is more a symptom than a cause of the country's flawed democracy. It examines the Turkish officer ethos, particularly the role of the indigenous ideology of Kemalism, and the broad, though not universal, public mandate for an interventionist role in politics. It contends that the military's influence is neither uniform nor total and that it is more effective at blocking than initiating policy; thus creating a system in which civilian authority is primary rather than supreme. It analyses the mechanisms through which the military attempts to shape policy, and demonstrates how its influence depends more on its informal authority than legislated rights or responsibilities. The paper suggests that fears of threats to national security resulting from the reforms required for EU accession have made the military more, not less, reluctant to withdraw from the political arena. It concludes that, regardless of the future of Turkey's candidacy, such a withdrawal will be a slow and gradual process, dependent more on changes in Turkish social and political culture and the perceived security environment than in the military itself.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Debates about military influence on civilian government tend to be partisan and rarely pay sufficient attention to specific contexts. This paper analyses, without condemnation or justification, why and how the military exercises such influence in Turkey and whether it is likely to continue to do so. It argues that the role of the military in Turkey grows out of a specific Turkish context and is more a symptom than a cause of the country's flawed democracy. It examines the Turkish officer ethos, particularly the role of the indigenous ideology of Kemalism, and the broad, though not universal, public mandate for an interventionist role in politics. It contends that the military's influence is neither uniform nor total and that it is more effective at blocking than initiating policy; thus creating a system in which civilian authority is primary rather than supreme. It analyses the mechanisms through which the military attempts to shape policy, and demonstrates how its influence depends more on its informal authority than legislated rights or responsibilities. The paper suggests that fears of threats to national security resulting from the reforms required for EU accession have made the military more, not less, reluctant to withdraw from the political arena. It concludes that, regardless of the future of Turkey's candidacy, such a withdrawal will be a slow and gradual process, dependent more on changes in Turkish social and political culture and the perceived security environment than in the military itself.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Listening to Able Underachievers by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Customer-Centric Project Management by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Sex on the Couch by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book The Geography of the World Economy by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book China’s Search for Energy Security by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Renegotiating the Welfare State by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Real Learning, Real Work by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Reading in a Second Language by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book The Science of Attitudes by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book The Political Ecology of Climate Change Adaptation by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Person Memory (PLE: Memory) by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Sexual Aversion, Sexual Phobias and Panic Disorder by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Object Relations, The Self and the Group by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Economic Spaces of Pastoral Production and Commodity Systems by Gareth Jenkins
Cover of the book Churchill by Gareth Jenkins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy