RIP Turkey, 1921 – 2017

Source:Foreign Policy blog Date:17Apr2017

The Western reaction to Erdogan referendum victory is generally negative. The press instinctively comprehends and I agree that entrusting all the power of the state to a single office or person without binding checks and balances inherent in modern democratic systems is a bad idea.

In case of Turkey, Mr. Erdogan’s habit of dividing the nation to advance his personal interest and his habitual ignorance of the constitution and judiciary are likely to compound the weaknesses of the new system. Most importantly, while Erdogan claims his new powers will give him the leverage to accelerate economic development, his advisors’ theories about development are so outdated that it is hard to believe he will succeed. The linked article from Foreign Policy blog explains the weaknesses of the new system.