THE STATE OF POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS WITH

Authors : Maye Kassem

Pages : 83-97

Doi:10.1501/Intrel_0000000260

View : 13 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 1999-05-01

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Turkey has its own unique complexities, and any attempt to com e up with an overarching general explanation will inevitably lead to oversimplification. Describing Turkish politics as a battleground between secularism and fundamentalism and focusing on the looming threat of political Islam make good headlines, but a poor baç;is for analysis. Prior to the 1995 general elections for example, Tansu Çiller, the the n Prime Minister and leader of the True Path Party, daimed that should the Refah Party win the forthcoming elections, Turkey was destined to became another Iran. This prospect, as the Prime Minister put it, would result in the fall of Turkeyand 'if Turkey falls', she wamed, Islamic 'fundamentalism will reach Europe'.4 
Keywords : THE STATE, POLITICAL ISLAM, TURKEY COMPARISONS