Turkish Army Brought To Heel?

[saoirse]

But then what if people "democratically" decide they want a extreme form of govt?

In recen ttimes a classic example is Algeria where the people voted for a hardline Islamic state and then there was serious trouble when this was denied

[Guz1]

Philip,

I know little enough about Turkey and absolutely nothing about Algeria.

From the little I do know about Turkey, I believe that the power of the AKP is due in no small measure to the ineptitude of the opposition parties. The AKP leadership are proving themselves to be astute politicians. Maybe there would be more political stability in Turkey if the opposition parties started earning their corn and offered the people a real alternative at the ballot box rather than relying on the military to do their job for them.

[saoirse]

Why dont we get Fianna Fail to run the place....!

[Guz1]

The developers might like that, but could the banks survive?

[saoirse]

lol! Excellent Maria.Yeah it would be a developers paradise!

[Mack]

Originally Posted by immac

What a patronising bunch you are: they, the child-like people of Turkey, don't know what's best for them so we will allow a non-elected military to run a parallel state ready to slap down anything they don't like - can't you see any flaw in your statements?

Call it what you like, but don't call it democracy.

Ian

Hey Ian, I wouldnt dream of calling it democracy (hence the speech marks) but lets remember that "we" are not being patronising, "we" did not pen the Turkish constitution, if you feel that the Turks are being patronised, it is by Ataturk and the very people Turks admire and hero worship today.

"we" are only opining on a different countries way of doing things, I would consider it patronising to tell them they are wrong and "we" are right!

[ChrisBobs]

It is true Pebble it is heating up, the Head General of the armed forces ( though the President is the Commander in Chief) held a press conference to say that the ' coup' plot was basically a set-up - a plot to diminish the military. Then yesterday a Navy Commander is arrested - his signature is supposed to be on the elleged document- that is the the one and only 'proof' of the coup.
Immac - you are right and you are wrong, Turkey is on a long journery from the military to the democracy, with the added big question as to what role does religion play? The elected leaders in the past have lost control... why... is part of the debate even now...but the military stepped in to halt some awful bloodshed. What is the path they put it back onto- the EU path?
Have the Turkish people become complacent , electing whoever - thinking ah well if it doesnt work the military can clean up the mess.
??The military have stepped back for that role . Demos- is of the people- and the people have to work that responsibility out yet.

[Tonyj]

Have read ATAURK by lord Kinross Churchill called Ataturk a great man of the 20 century
he was right,Without the military turkey would forget ataturks legacy and would look back to the east which would be a nightmare scenario for the west,as for democracy dont really think think secular turkey gives a damm about the EU just as i as an Englishman doesnt also HM The Queen as a ultimate right to dismiss parliment and if needs be put her army on the streets ,now isnt that a good idea

[ceemac]

The Ergenekon case is going to have huge and far reaching implications for Turkey in my opinion. I just hope it has a just outcome.

I assume there will be major reform eventually.

There's an interesting article here which perhaps is the start of calls for a major overhaul of state institutions.


C