How can you tell when a country is no longer a democracy? Is it when checks and balances are too eroded to prevent abuses of power? When minority rights and individual liberties have been curtailed? Is it when the separation of powers breaks down and power becomes concentrated in the executive? When the media has been successfully co-opted or intimidated into acquiescence? Or when the transfer of power to an opposition party becomes unthinkable?
‘Strong men’ are back in the driving seat; from Russia, to Venezuela, to Malaysia, the Philippines, Egypt, and now Turkey. In many cases, the dear leaders genuinely command majority support (occasionally overwhelmingly so). Of course, it’s difficult to get bad press when critics end up dead or in jail.
In Turkey, those critics believe the march towards authoritarianism has taken another step forward. On 16 April, Turkish voters approved a package of constitutional reforms in a referendum, centralising power in the office of the president. The amendments will give President Erdoğan the power to appoint and dismiss government ministers, pick judges, enact legislation by decree, and draft state budgets. Potentially, they could allow him to stay in power until 2029.
Supporters counter that the Turkish parliament will still have the power to veto presidential decrees and budgets. They argue that the previous constitutional arrangement was unwieldy, and cite the July 2016 coup attempt and frequent terrorist attacks by both the PKK and the so-called Islamic State as proof that Turkey needs a strong government.
Yet how strong is too strong? More than 170 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations have been closed down by the government since the coup attempt, and 145 journalists have been imprisoned. Tens of thousands of civil servants, academics, and members of the police, military, and judiciary have been dismissed from their jobs. Dozens of opposition MPs have been jailed.
Is Turkey still a democracy? How can you tell when a political system is no longer democratic? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
229 comments Post a commentcomment
Honestly speaking and in my opinion: hell no!
A democratic country don’t prosecut journalist and political opponents.
The United States needs to support the Kurds of ROJAVA KURDISTAN seek independence and full sovereignty from Syria , while at the same time supporting the Kurds of BAKUR KURDISTAN in Turkey ( Turkey is the State Sponsor of ISIS terrorism) and BASUR KURDISTAN in Iraq, to go towards forming a Sovereign Federation Nation State of Kurdistan, dissolving Turkey, Syria and Iraq into smaller areas with the establishment of Sovereign Kurdistan. Question remains, will Russia assist Greece reclaim from the Turks ,the Greek city of Constantinople , Eastern Thrace and Western Asia Minor and northern Cyprus from Turkey ?
Russia…? Hmm…dont think so..
Nothing to gain my friend…
May your wosh come true though
Wet dreams of a Hewal :)
Take it if you can ,Hewal why you are begging for help from the US or Russia ?
Not anymore
Is USA still democracy? They have Presidential system too!
The president of the united states can’t expend his rule for 10 fucking years! he can’t hire or fire judges who likes or dislikes he can’t pass a law with out the senate approval! All this above erdogan now can do them actually he already started by chancing almost 30 articles of the Turkish constitution in a single day!
It is the people choice, the amendments came after a legal referendum. It is the same in the UK where the people chose to leave the EU. As long as it is the people choice, then nothing to be said.
No, Turkey isn’t a democracy.
no
Deciding to count as valid 2,000,000 unstamped ballots in an election that was won by 1,500,000 votes speaks for itself.
No
Turkey is not a Democracy. Erdogan is a terrible Islamic dictator. I don’t want more Islamics in the EU. Let’s protect Ocidental values.
What are they? Oh the same Christian values that allow us to build walls, let people die, have holocaust, sell weapons to criminals and then blame them for using them against innocents? I see
We don’t agree. That’s it.
Who told you I am a Christian? I am against all kind of dictatorship, and Islam is right now one of the worst. Freedom?
We don’t agree. That’s it.
Who told you I am a Christian? I am against all kind of dictatorship, and Islam is right now one of the worst. Freedom😜
When was it a democracy?
Of course not…actually no country has democracy but that’s a different story
Nope! We can now officially call it a dictatorship
It is clear that it is not
Nooooottttt
it’s closer to democracy than EU ever will be…
I find it hilarious when somebody from the former communist bloc says something to that effect. My guess is that nobody in that region who was born prior to the fall of the berlin wall feels that way.
You probably don’t know much about Turkey. .
Max Berre Not like people who lived in Soviet Union don’t see same patterns “One Union, one government, one socialist republic”.
And in our Soviet Lithuanian anthem we had words:
“In glorious Soviet Union
Equal among equals and free…”
looks familiar?
Vytautas, it is not so much about slogans or manifestos but more about institutions and particular laws that guarantee people’s rights and the continuation of the nature of the state.
Noooo
No f@k1ng way
No !
Never was or will be.
Turkey is not a democracy, and not Europe either.
They never were, the only difference is that its official now.
Is this question a joke?
It can be defined in comparisions. There is one truth in this; as middle eastern values based on sects and irrational thinking get stronger in a country, democracy becomes just a dream, nightmare for most.
Still?
Still?
Still?
Still?
more than ever
Was it before this fake referendum?
In a democracy, the people are in power (democracy = demos kratein = the people rule). Which means that there probably are no democracies on this planet.
Even hitler was elected. But would you call nazigermany a democracy?
I won’t.
By the way Assad was elected and still we consider him a dictator (even to the point of spreading false accusation like the “gas attack” yeah yeah)
europe is freedom.
Slavery is freedom.
The EU is watching you.
This page, like the EU, is stupid.
it is like asking “is europe still a union?”
NO.
.
Are pro EU fanatics now saying every country that has a president is a dictatorship ?
Given ‘the people’ did not vote for El presidente Juncker the claim actually applies to the EU far more than Turkey.
Oh shut up u idiot
Ivan, your comment highlights your ignorance to such an extent that you have just lost every hint of credibility that you may have had.
Of course it isn’t .
is this question testing the idiocy of the general population?
No. In a country, where critical voices are silenced, democracy is no more.
Which democracy…If you are able to see a village you don’t need someone else to show to you
No/Не/Yok ;)
Democracy is always interpreted by each ones interests.And YES much more democracy in Turkey than let’s say USA or China .Count out the deads from police violence in USA or death penalty and you will see what I mean.In Turkey MAJORITY rules in USA NO.In Greece the government is ruled by 17% coalition.But we still think we have democracy.So what’s your point?
When are you moving to Turkey, Nikos?
Sorry! When was Turkey a democracy?!
Is Europe itself a true democracy?
Yes
I’m not so sure any more.
hahahhahahahah
Nope
Is this a serious question?
Erdogan will now enjoy the same executive powers that an American or French president enjoys, but without all the institutional checks and balances that exist in the US and France.
The judiciary, the legislative, and the civl society will lose a lot of their independence under the new system. Which means, in effect, Turkey is now more authoritarian than democratic.
Γιατί πότε ήταν ή πότε υπήρξατε εσείς που ρωτάτε?
Εχει η τουρκια καμια σχεση με τις ευρωπαικες αξιες? Να ξερουμε τι λέμε… οχι α-νοησιες. Αλλο αν εχουμε δημοκρατιες του ενος ανδρος… τυραννιες δηλ.
Δεν διαφωνώ Κατερίνα!
Yes a dictatoric democracy
Ενω my fellow Greeks Greece and EU is. Go on and fool yourselfs.
I don’t think that any of the EU countries can be compared to an Islamic dictatorship. So get your acts together!
Yes a dictatoric democracy
Yes a dictatoric democracy
Yes a dictatoric democracy
EU should debate and focus on their own union related issues rather than focusing on other countries internal issues.. especially a country never been in need of EU should not occupy EU’s agenda that much. :)
Well in that case, why this man wants to enter Turkey in EU? I heard that he is preparing a referendum about this!
That’s correct as he recently mentioned there may be a referandum in the future whether Turkey should remain as a candidate state or not. But it seems that the status of visa exemption agreement between Turkey and EU will indicate if such action is needed.
They want the visa status, so that then they can distribute turkish papers to all those refugees and illegal immigrants from all over , stranded in Turkey…Then, these, go in Europe legally…
and what do we care about Turkey???
One of the many M East countries that will only survive under strong dictator leader…
Well because he wants to be part of EU! And h is able to create the next big conflict in Europe!
In order for democracy to flourish, you need to have an educational system that would promote dialect, transparency, and the common good. E.U. countries have a long way to go and so does the rest of Europe. Unless we fight corruption, we won’t be able to experience true democracy. (Yes, I rather look at my hump than check out the neighbour’s. What kind of an example are we setting in order to be able to speak about democracy?)
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and voted remain in the UKs referendum, but (before we start getting on our morale high horse upon “our” democratic values and respecting the views of the people) the real question is – is the EU democratic? I do not see a single policy within the EU Parliament which addresses the big issues of concern by the European peoples and nor do I see a democratic mandate by which we can stop and check their progress.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and voted remain in the UKs referendum, but (before we start getting on our morale high horse upon “our” democratic values and respecting the views of the people) the real question is – is the EU democratic? I do not see a single policy within the EU Parliament which addresses the big issues of concern by the European peoples and nor do I see a democratic mandate by which we can stop and check their progress.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and voted remain in the UKs referendum, but (before we start getting on our morale high horse upon “our” democratic values and respecting the views of the people) the real question is – is the EU democratic? I do not see a single policy within the EU Parliament which addresses the big issues of concern by the European peoples and nor do I see a democratic mandate by which we can stop and check their progress.
I’m a strong supporter of the EU project and voted remain in the UKs referendum, but (before we start getting on our morale high horse upon “our” democratic values and respecting the views of the people) the real question is – is the EU democratic? I do not see a single policy within the EU Parliament which addresses the big issues of concern by the European peoples and nor do I see a democratic mandate by which we can stop and check their progress.
They never were one. It’s just official now
No. Referendum was fake. One person put 5 Evet (Yes) . Tanks on kurds villages. Refugees from Syria said..Yes. and minorities or differend politics will faces death penaldy. Blood as usually
NO !!!!!!!!
Oxi! :P
Let’s stop the jokes guys. Turkey is not a European Country. Has nothing to do with Europe and will never have. Is Turkey a Democracy? Of course not and it will never be. Their government is Junta like the rest of the ME countries. They still have the Sultan and they are happy.
It’s not a hard question. If a President of a so called democracy ( any country) can dictate who becomes minister,judge so on so on. Than that clearly is no longer a democracy but a republic. And any republic in my humble opinion is close to becoming a dictator ship. Very close.
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Never was never will be.
While Greece is a democratic country.
Democracy with a new Sultan? Probably not.
Is Europe still a democracy? (I can say it as european)
I think Turkey is a democracy “muslim stile” but not too different from an European one.
I am surprised by the question. When exactly was Turkey a full democracy?
ahahahhahahaha europe is an oligarchy, no democracy, stop politician corruption at al EU states and put direct democracy
No /#OXI/
Turkey was quite democratic country between 2002 and 2010 until Mr Erdogan consolidated power. AKP Government signed a number of democratic and progressive decrees on Kurdish issue and successfully liberalised bureaucracy and economy. Turkey also initiated membership talks with EU. If EU accepted Turkey, Turkey would be democratic country without Erdogan. EU’s dysfunctional bureaucracy and narrow mind lost Turkey and Britain.
why not?
The best question is: Was Turkey a real democracy ever?
Not really, since Erdogan was elected, the country took a one-way route to dictatorship… The 2016 coup came too late to revert the authoritarian measures, and when the coup failed, the no-return point on the way to dictatorship was reached: this referendum is just only the last step, but the route began on 2003. I would like to hear the opinion of Abdullah Gül, the predecessor of Erdogan…
Nope!
Has EU ever been a democracy?
When people start electing stupid presidents
It hasn’t been since Erdogan
Is Europe a democracy you should answer that first and then ask about Turkey.
Europe is a continent. If you talk about the EU. Well the European Parliament is more democratic than all national institutions.
Europe now days is EU since we are having a political discussion. EU now days is suffering of Democratic values. It needs to be reform
What does this man and his 51% followers have to do to cross EU red lines of human rights? Killing members of the LGBT community, imprisoning scholars and reporters, closing down media,taking advantage of his own religion to manipulate his own people, threatening Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Israel for some Ottoman Empire dream with the backing of a 38 country member Muslim’ anti-terrorism’ coalition which includes Saudi Arabia-the apple of the UK’s defence corporations eye.
NO -he does islamic brainwash. He does not invest in Education. His strategy: Victim of foreign states, and National proud. Same strategy as Hitler had at his beginning. Proof it at Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICng-KRxXJ8
Please start globally with a Power balance. http://www.WWSEEP.com
No. Never was.
It is a democracy. Being a democracy does not mean a country is just, or good. It is a dictatorship of the majority.
Huge mistake. Dictatorship of the majority is bolshevism, not democracy. In democracy you have specific rules and rights according to which decisions are made. And even though a decision is made by majority of vote, this vote has to be made after discussion and debate, not by just abiding by what an angry crowd wants. This is how decisions are made in Parliament and that’s why it’s called a democracy. And the rules on which democracy is based are the rules of free speech and thought, secularism and equality of all citizens before the law. If you remove these rules, even by majority of vote, then you have bolshevism, not democracy.
Would you call a state that represses its citizens and violates their civil rights a democracy? Is a country where journalists and teachers are being fired and arrested for their political views a democracy? What do you think?
Typical negative comment without any concrete arguments proving you vote LEAVE. If you would really inform yourself about the EU, you would know what EU is really doing. Be insular, isolate yourself and be sure your superficial approach is not useful or damaging none.
NO, newer was and newer will be… ABE SORRY
They democratically elected Erdogan and democratically voted him Sultan
Good question…
the right question is : have eu democracy ??????
Is Turkey a democracy….. or is EU democracy a Turkey….?
All he (Erdogan) has done so far was through democratic elections and referendums, so in that perspective Turkey is still a democracy. The prosecution of journalists and political opponents isn’t democracy, but the majority voted for for Erdogan inspite of that, so who are we (Europe) to judge. We had a member state ( UK) with a completely non democratic institution (the House of Lords) and it was ok and nobody said it wasn’t a democracy…
Never was.
haha, no and never was.
of course not
autocracy…is the word indeed!
Turkey is a strong democracy which Western states cant stand its accomplishments. The opinion in the beginining is biased. That papers closed were openly coupist papers which belonged to terrorist leader. In which european state it is allowed that terrorists run newspapers? And presidental referandum proves Turkish people strongly united for a powerful democratic Turkish Republic. The Europe demonize Turks by dirty black propaganda aiming head of the state; Erdoğan. But Erdoğan is the symbol of independent democratic strong Turkey. The deep comments coming from pkk terrorists here means nothing. The Crusade against Erdoğan and Turks will not be successful as it is proven historically.
What do you think? Baris Cagri Borucu Emre Metin Bilginer Begüm Akalın Onur Atak Ismail Kavak Gunes Findikoglu
Πλάκα κάνεις; Παρακολουθείται το fb από τις κρατικές υπηρεσίες ασφαλείας
yes, Saudi Arabia too
Ooh sweet burn!😂
When was it ever a democracy?
https://www.facebook.com/100012190986880/videos/367319423684421/
Fuck no! Its on the hard way of dictators and the dangerous national fever coupled with even more dangerous Islamic influence…
Turkey was on a good way to democracy and freedom but now?…
It’s about as democratic as the USSR
Nowhere in the world is there pure democracy. It ranges from relatively free to relatively unfree democratic rule. You can have a political system where there’s direct rule by the people or a system of rule by representatives in the name of the people. In most cases democracy has been manipulated to a great we or lesser extent by powerful elements coming from the political or economic establishment of a country who use their influence in order to determine popular vote, or, worse, when they possess government power, in order to suppress opposition to their power. The Turks are maybe an extreme case of people manipulation where the head of state is able to influence the masses through scare tactics and religious populism
Nope?
it never was
Er no?
Never was….Kemal was Hitler’s teacher. They genocide Christians and took their money homes banks and then Hitler genocide jews for the same reasons. Humiliations hates tortures to kurds now and to armenians greeks assyrians in the past are un believing . Of course half Cyprus is still occupite. Somebodies cover their crimes and then born more dictators that took lifes for…. fun
Hahahah… good one.
Was in the first years after the military revolution.
Yes. But not as the enemies want.
Lol !!!!
Like you.
Only by name is a democratic nation ,underneath is a fascist Islamic country far far away from the European way of life !
NO, and the EU should cancell the idea of Turkey joining the Club.
Was this question a joke?
It is bad journalism and tacky taste.
Vera Cimpeanu but of course is not a real democracy
Why even ask such a question? It is ridiculous and embarassing. For those who care. Those who don’t, will not read the text anyway. Big disappointment, DE.
.
Far more democratic than the EU, at least they elected their leader.
communist leaders in Eastern Europe were also elected and re-elected (usually by 98% or above) – were those democratical regimes or far more democratic than the EU?
Costi Ciudin
Is that some kind of justification for the EU to be run by an unelected European Politburo who answer to no one ?
oh and who elects british queen and the king?
Auer Bru
Our Queen does not create our laws, your unelected Emperor Juncker does make yours so there is no comparison..
Next idiotic comment ?
Nope…..and is the E.U.?
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
Of course, It’s thé only direct democracy in the world…. Should be an example for every country with a dictator dickhead on its top ….
when racists in the west do not like a free will of people on the east , they start drumming it is not a demicaravy.
people of turkey will continue to disappoint leftovers from 1939 in the west by defending it’s free democratic political will
WTF? No!
Nope
Nope
Nope
Nope
Nope
Nope
Nope
It is definitely not a democracy. The human rights are forgotten.
No, turkey i not a democracy
Was it ever?but it bothers now that the client is reacting.
Never been ,before u had the army who control the country to keep it “modern” but now its a mix of religious khalifat or whatever u wanna call him .
Do you actually know what a democracy is? Or how toxic is for a nation? All the prosperous countries are Republics so why should we want democracy? Learn about the democracy lie and start asking the right questions.
You are democracy
De Visu Carlo think again
No, it isn’t!
Good joke
Good joke
Good joke
Good joke
Good joke
Good joke
Good joke
Is the question a rhetorical one or what? Why? When was it?
Savages and democracy haha!
Terrorists!
It’s an hypocrisie.
It’s a theoretical Islamic dictatorship…and has no relation with the rest European countries
What rest means?
.
The early hours of tomorrow morning mark 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest of the First World War when 275,000 men gave their lives to stop a bunch of crazed Europeans with a flag & a plan to unite Europe – We will remember them.
Don’t let their sacrifice be in vain, end the EU before it’s to late.
Is any Islamic state a Democracy or could ever any Islamic state be a Democracy?
Never was
Is Europe a Democracy?
Good question!
No not even close at this point
Nope next question
???
It’s not a democracy and it’s full of complete retards that say it is
Show me were Democracy is …..and if you know let me know how Democracy works! All governments hate Democracy that’s why we all live in a Tyranny. There is no country on earth that Democracy is applied. RESTORE DEMOCRACY NOW
Carlos Da Silva Machado a melhor democracia mundial
If Israel is still occupying Palestine and is still killing children,
If the Bulgarian fascists party ataka is attacking the Roma people and is still in the parliament,
In Greece the government is closing down the Turkish minority’s schools and mosques and if this is democratic act and if this is happening in eu country’s than YES TURKEY IS STILL DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.
In other words, no Turkey isn’t democratic and neither is Israel, nor Greece, nor Bulgaria. Four wrings do not make a right.
As long as Turkey remain stable,is OK.Europe is tired of so called “democratic springs”!
Not at all!!
R Scandinavian EU countries democracies or crazy socialism that wanna control every single aspect of ur life?
Erdogan is not democratic leader.
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Yes , also Iran is a democracy
Only a fool will it is. This is obvious
Is Greece still a Democracy?
Not a Democracy. It is a Islamic Republic. Don’t ever think of welcoming Turkey in EU.
Has it ever been?
Democracy? TURKEY??? :)
Not anymore since the rise of autocratic fascism in the world. Erdogan has destroyed a great democratic nation. This trend is growing internationally unfortunately.
Turkey was transitioned into a secular democracy by Ataturk in 1923. It has a long history of democracy and secularism until Erdogan.
Such a silly question! Silly as “Is the earth still a globe?” :-) Except your question gets NO and my example gets “YES”!
Nope.
Is this a joke?