Tũrkish Pulse

  by Martin Aslan The global decline of Democracy In January, thousands of Israelis protested against their new far-right government, fearing its plans would weaken democratic institutions and checks and balances. This reflects a broader global trend: trust in democracy is declining, yet authoritarian regimes have not proven more effective. The global retreat of democracy Democracy is defined by representative government, fundamental rights, checks on power, impartial administration, and civic participation. However, in recent years, democracy has stagnated, with half of democratic nations backsliding. Repressive regimes are tightening control, and the number of countries shifting toward authoritarianism has more than doubled in six years. Today, half of all nations are experiencing democratic decline. Democratic erosion in Europe While democracy remains dominant in Europe, it has weakened, even in high-performing countries. Poland and Hungary are experiencing significant democrati...

by Martin Aslan The collapse of the Ottoman Empire gave way to a new religious base embodied by the Muslim Brotherhood founded by the Egyptian Hassan el-Banna. This movement, considered a terrorist group by the Arab Republic of Egypt, came to power in 2012 following the Arab Spring. Türkiye lent its support to the movement represented by Mohamed Morsi. The Muslim Brotherhood is an influential movement in Muslim lands whose objective is the restoration of a caliphate. Türkiye's shady dealings with the Muslim Brotherhood muddy the waters and make it difficult to understand Türkiye’s relations with its neighbours and allies. The sources of a new religious era Until then dominated by the Ottoman Empire, the Muslim world underwent a religious rupture at the beginning of the 20th century. The abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave way to the creation of a movement to combat ‘Western secularism and the blind imitation of the European model’.  This was Has...

by Martin Aslan The proclamation of the Turkish Republic on 29 October 1923 was the founding act of modern Türkiye, breaking with the Ottoman era. In addition to Mustapha Kemal's desire to westernise his country by establishing a republican and democratic regime, secularism was the fundamental principle of this change in society, which had previously been Islamic. The Turkish principle of secularism is enshrined in the constitution and is unique to Türkiye. This secular conception has enabled Türkiye to ensure its transition without making a complete break with its origins. On the eve of the presidential elections and the centenary of the Turkish Republic, secular principles are being called into question. This situation has been carefully brought about by President Erdoğan since he came to power. The Turkish secular concept Secularism in modern Türkiye is not based on a separation of clergy and state that would establish the autonomy of religion. On the contrary, the foundation of...