Turkish military interventions and building constitutions: The bulwark of an unstable democracy

Turkey is a country rich in culture and history. One of the few modern states that practices Islam and has an established democratic system, however, this democracy is flawed. This thesis paper explores the instability of Turkish democracy, by looking at details of and issues around military intervention and constitutions, with specific focus on civil-military relations in a historically chronological order, a necessity in comprehending the complexity of the topic at hand. How have military interventions created a weak and unstable democracy in Turkey? Extreme Presidential and military powers have and currently still prevent harmonization within the state system and contribute to inequality among all members of society. A study of military, politics and social class structure is a difficult task one that is delicate by nature. But when a government of a country wants to bring reform to the country and is inhibited by state elites, or the military, bureaucrats, and academics, this causes imbalance of powers and a struggle between nation and state, where in this case the government is rendered helpless. In conclusion, the author recommends that the authority of the president and the military be limited and that these powers be given back to the prime minister or government of the country. Privileges of the military should be outlined in a set amount, not vary from term to term or if possible eliminated from the political system all together and re-insert it into its own realm in order for Turkish democracy to flourish.