Modern Turkey : regime change or Islam | Ayla Gol | TEDxAberystwyth

I’ll be asking an important question is

I’ll be asking an important question is there a silence regime change in Turkey

there a silence regime change in Turkey

there a silence regime change in Turkey I was born in Turkey and I’ll make

I was born in Turkey and I’ll make

I was born in Turkey and I’ll make neatly half Kurdish half Turkish I

neatly half Kurdish half Turkish I

neatly half Kurdish half Turkish I remember during my childhood my

remember during my childhood my

remember during my childhood my grandparents used to speak a different

grandparents used to speak a different

grandparents used to speak a different language and home grew Mangia kurdish

language and home grew Mangia kurdish

language and home grew Mangia kurdish dialects spoken in turkey but they

dialects spoken in turkey but they

dialects spoken in turkey but they didn’t teach us and they didn’t they

didn’t teach us and they didn’t they

didn’t teach us and they didn’t they didn’t speak outside home I remember

didn’t speak outside home I remember

didn’t speak outside home I remember asking my grandmother why she didn’t

asking my grandmother why she didn’t

asking my grandmother why she didn’t teach us including my mother and she

teach us including my mother and she

teach us including my mother and she said you hit understand when you grow up

said you hit understand when you grow up

said you hit understand when you grow up I think that’s why I have always been

I think that’s why I have always been

I think that’s why I have always been interested in studying politics

interested in studying politics

interested in studying politics nationalism and also contemporary Turkey

nationalism and also contemporary Turkey

nationalism and also contemporary Turkey and the Middle East

and the Middle East

and the Middle East I bet Turkey in 2001 just before the

I bet Turkey in 2001 just before the

I bet Turkey in 2001 just before the pro-islamic government under the Justice

pro-islamic government under the Justice

pro-islamic government under the Justice and Development Party came to power

just on the right button just before the

just on the right button just before the contact in there just before the I left

contact in there just before the I left

contact in there just before the I left Turkey in 2001 just before the

Turkey in 2001 just before the

Turkey in 2001 just before the pro-islamic government Justice and

pro-islamic government Justice and

pro-islamic government Justice and Development Party the AKP came to power

Development Party the AKP came to power

Development Party the AKP came to power and Turkey I lived was a secular modern

and Turkey I lived was a secular modern

and Turkey I lived was a secular modern democratic country and why turkey is

democratic country and why turkey is

democratic country and why turkey is important because Turkey was the first

important because Turkey was the first

important because Turkey was the first Muslim country engaged with European

Muslim country engaged with European

Muslim country engaged with European modernity that transformed itself from

modernity that transformed itself from

modernity that transformed itself from the Islamic Ottoman Empire into a

the Islamic Ottoman Empire into a

the Islamic Ottoman Empire into a secular nation state at the beginning of

secular nation state at the beginning of

secular nation state at the beginning of the 20th century in 2001 the AKP warned

the 20th century in 2001 the AKP warned

the 20th century in 2001 the AKP warned the party and they kept winning three

the party and they kept winning three

the party and they kept winning three more elections in 2007 11 and 2015

more elections in 2007 11 and 2015

more elections in 2007 11 and 2015 especially the secularism has been

especially the secularism has been

especially the secularism has been always a very sensitive and contested

always a very sensitive and contested

always a very sensitive and contested essentially contested concept in Turkey

essentially contested concept in Turkey

essentially contested concept in Turkey secularism meant and separation religion

secularism meant and separation religion

secularism meant and separation religion and politics in domestic and foreign

and politics in domestic and foreign

and politics in domestic and foreign affairs the last book in the last

affairs the last book in the last

affairs the last book in the last sentence in my book especially when I

sentence in my book especially when I

sentence in my book especially when I wrote the rise of Islamic fundamentalism

wrote the rise of Islamic fundamentalism

wrote the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the Kurdish question in the 1990s

and the Kurdish question in the 1990s

and the Kurdish question in the 1990s can be interpreted as the result of the

can be interpreted as the result of the

can be interpreted as the result of the problematic nature of democratization

problematic nature of democratization

problematic nature of democratization and a reaction to the uneven development

and a reaction to the uneven development

and a reaction to the uneven development of secularism and modernity on the

of secularism and modernity on the

of secularism and modernity on the society level however the Turkish

society level however the Turkish

society level however the Turkish transition to modernity is an incomplete

transition to modernity is an incomplete

transition to modernity is an incomplete project which had its origins at the

project which had its origins at the

project which had its origins at the beginning of the 19th century and Turkey

beginning of the 19th century and Turkey

beginning of the 19th century and Turkey is still questioning its present the

is still questioning its present the

is still questioning its present the Turkish transition to modernity is that

Turkish transition to modernity is that

Turkish transition to modernity is that incomplete project with had its origins

incomplete project with had its origins

incomplete project with had its origins at the beginning of the 19th century and

at the beginning of the 19th century and

at the beginning of the 19th century and Turkey is still questioning its present

Turkey is still questioning its present

Turkey is still questioning its present hence since 2002 the rise of political

hence since 2002 the rise of political

hence since 2002 the rise of political Islam in the context of the AKP s tenure

Islam in the context of the AKP s tenure

Islam in the context of the AKP s tenure in power can be seen

in power can be seen

in power can be seen as turkey questioning his present

as turkey questioning his present

as turkey questioning his present however turkey is present is deeply

however turkey is present is deeply

however turkey is present is deeply worrying today turkey is bitterly

worrying today turkey is bitterly

worrying today turkey is bitterly divided and deeply polarized society

divided and deeply polarized society

divided and deeply polarized society since I left and it’s sad to see what is

since I left and it’s sad to see what is

since I left and it’s sad to see what is happening in Turkish politics

happening in Turkish politics

happening in Turkish politics what a KPD came to first power in 2001

what a KPD came to first power in 2001

what a KPD came to first power in 2001 it was a promising example of secularism

it was a promising example of secularism

it was a promising example of secularism and democratization in the Muslim

and democratization in the Muslim

and democratization in the Muslim context and again you may all remember

context and again you may all remember

context and again you may all remember what happened in 2001 9/11 terrorist

what happened in 2001 9/11 terrorist

what happened in 2001 9/11 terrorist attacks that put Islam on international

attacks that put Islam on international

attacks that put Islam on international agenda not only as a regional context as

agenda not only as a regional context as

agenda not only as a regional context as we see in the Middle East so my big

we see in the Middle East so my big

we see in the Middle East so my big question is did Islam play a crucial

question is did Islam play a crucial

question is did Islam play a crucial role for the rise of AKP into power my

role for the rise of AKP into power my

role for the rise of AKP into power my answer is there is something no Islam

answer is there is something no Islam

answer is there is something no Islam did not play a role to bring a clip into

did not play a role to bring a clip into

did not play a role to bring a clip into power but following reasons they came

power but following reasons they came

power but following reasons they came clear leaders highlighted they are

clear leaders highlighted they are

clear leaders highlighted they are conservative Democrats like just

conservative Democrats like just

conservative Democrats like just Christian Democrats in the West they

Christian Democrats in the West they

Christian Democrats in the West they never highlighted the pro-islamic roots

never highlighted the pro-islamic roots

never highlighted the pro-islamic roots of the Islamic the AKP

of the Islamic the AKP

of the Islamic the AKP as an Islamic party and also they

as an Islamic party and also they

as an Islamic party and also they accepted the secular character of the

accepted the secular character of the

accepted the secular character of the state which allowed them not to have a

state which allowed them not to have a

state which allowed them not to have a clash with the military which acted as

clash with the military which acted as

clash with the military which acted as the guardians of secularism in Turkish

the guardians of secularism in Turkish

the guardians of secularism in Turkish history more importantly it’s the

history more importantly it’s the

history more importantly it’s the economy they promised to find an

economy they promised to find an

economy they promised to find an economic solution economic development

economic solution economic development

economic solution economic development to fix the financial crisis of 2009 1

to fix the financial crisis of 2009 1

to fix the financial crisis of 2009 1 the AKP has remained in power since done

the AKP has remained in power since done

the AKP has remained in power since done by winning three more elections and

by winning three more elections and

by winning three more elections and during the AKP role hi Raja Abram had

during the AKP role hi Raja Abram had

during the AKP role hi Raja Abram had become the first Prime Minister who took

become the first Prime Minister who took

become the first Prime Minister who took the party to three last landslide

the party to three last landslide

the party to three last landslide victories and also became the first

victories and also became the first

victories and also became the first elected president since 2014

one of the slogans akp highlighted was

one of the slogans akp highlighted was the new turkey cotton cotton crop denier

the new turkey cotton cotton crop denier

the new turkey cotton cotton crop denier Turkey

Turkey

Turkey while some promoted advanced new Turkey

while some promoted advanced new Turkey

while some promoted advanced new Turkey as a rising model the so called Turkish

as a rising model the so called Turkish

as a rising model the so called Turkish model many including myself were very

model many including myself were very

model many including myself were very skeptical about a hidden ideological

skeptical about a hidden ideological

skeptical about a hidden ideological agenda to Islam sighs Turkish politics

agenda to Islam sighs Turkish politics

agenda to Islam sighs Turkish politics well during the first term first decade

well during the first term first decade

well during the first term first decade of Dec a Pierrot

of Dec a Pierrot

of Dec a Pierrot decade under de KP Turkey has achieved

decade under de KP Turkey has achieved

decade under de KP Turkey has achieved exemplary economic development tackled

exemplary economic development tackled

exemplary economic development tackled the role of military in politics as main

the role of military in politics as main

the role of military in politics as main obstacle in front of democratization and

obstacle in front of democratization and

obstacle in front of democratization and also more importantly a peace process

also more importantly a peace process

also more importantly a peace process was engaged with the peace process with

was engaged with the peace process with

was engaged with the peace process with the Kurdish minority what we see is so

the Kurdish minority what we see is so

the Kurdish minority what we see is so far so good

far so good

far so good but unfortunately things have changed

but unfortunately things have changed

but unfortunately things have changed since 2013 and I think that there is a

since 2013 and I think that there is a

since 2013 and I think that there is a silent regime taking place and this has

silent regime taking place and this has

silent regime taking place and this has been unnoticed in the West and the

been unnoticed in the West and the

been unnoticed in the West and the regime change turned a promising Turkish

regime change turned a promising Turkish

regime change turned a promising Turkish model into a authoritarian rule by

model into a authoritarian rule by

model into a authoritarian rule by weakening

weakening

weakening secularism and democracy this is not

secularism and democracy this is not

secularism and democracy this is not because Islam was the main reason but

because Islam was the main reason but

because Islam was the main reason but this is because the use and abuse of

this is because the use and abuse of

this is because the use and abuse of religion in politics especially Turkey’s

religion in politics especially Turkey’s

religion in politics especially Turkey’s importance has continued in the context

importance has continued in the context

importance has continued in the context of the Arab Spring in 2011 and more

of the Arab Spring in 2011 and more

of the Arab Spring in 2011 and more importantly the rise of Islamic state as

importantly the rise of Islamic state as

importantly the rise of Islamic state as well as the Syrian civil war and the

well as the Syrian civil war and the

well as the Syrian civil war and the continuing refugee crisis has put Turkey

continuing refugee crisis has put Turkey

continuing refugee crisis has put Turkey as a necessary Ally not only for

as a necessary Ally not only for

as a necessary Ally not only for promoting better relations with the

promoting better relations with the

promoting better relations with the Western and the Muslim world in pre 9/11

Western and the Muslim world in pre 9/11

Western and the Muslim world in pre 9/11 context but as well as a reliable

context but as well as a reliable

context but as well as a reliable for Western interest in the Middle East

for Western interest in the Middle East

for Western interest in the Middle East and therefore a silent regime change

and therefore a silent regime change

and therefore a silent regime change went unnoticed by some in the West what

went unnoticed by some in the West what

went unnoticed by some in the West what we see is there were actually three

we see is there were actually three

we see is there were actually three basic events that affected how the

basic events that affected how the

basic events that affected how the regime change was taking place as the

regime change was taking place as the

regime change was taking place as the knee of Turkey not only the model but

knee of Turkey not only the model but

knee of Turkey not only the model but also Islam sizing the politics in in

also Islam sizing the politics in in

also Islam sizing the politics in in Turkish politics as a silent regime

Turkish politics as a silent regime

Turkish politics as a silent regime change three basic events highlighted a

change three basic events highlighted a

change three basic events highlighted a change was taking place since 2013 the

change was taking place since 2013 the

change was taking place since 2013 the first one was gezi protests in 2013

first one was gezi protests in 2013

first one was gezi protests in 2013 there was a second event a failed

there was a second event a failed

there was a second event a failed military coup attempt in 2016 and the

military coup attempt in 2016 and the

military coup attempt in 2016 and the third event was the presidential

third event was the presidential

third event was the presidential referendum in 2017 let me just tell you

referendum in 2017 let me just tell you

referendum in 2017 let me just tell you about the first event the gezi Park

about the first event the gezi Park

about the first event the gezi Park protests in 2013 it was a turning point

protests in 2013 it was a turning point

protests in 2013 it was a turning point in the sense that you may remember it

in the sense that you may remember it

in the sense that you may remember it all started as an environmentalist

all started as an environmentalist

all started as an environmentalist project a protest

project a protest

project a protest especially when the government decided

especially when the government decided

especially when the government decided the last remaining green area in in in

the last remaining green area in in in

the last remaining green area in in in Islam was dizzy Park in Taksim Square

Islam was dizzy Park in Taksim Square

Islam was dizzy Park in Taksim Square and group of peaceful protesters

and group of peaceful protesters

and group of peaceful protesters occupied the park peacefully by campaign

occupied the park peacefully by campaign

occupied the park peacefully by campaign singing dancing and reading books but

singing dancing and reading books but

singing dancing and reading books but the government’s reactions were really

the government’s reactions were really

the government’s reactions were really harsh with the extensive use of force

harsh with the extensive use of force

harsh with the extensive use of force and this was for me was the first

and this was for me was the first

and this was for me was the first turning point an example that I don’t

turning point an example that I don’t

turning point an example that I don’t give Turkey would not democratically

give Turkey would not democratically

give Turkey would not democratically engaged with anti-government protesters

engaged with anti-government protesters

engaged with anti-government protesters around 2.5 million people according to

around 2.5 million people according to

around 2.5 million people according to official figures and what became very

official figures and what became very

official figures and what became very clear that during the gezi protests the

clear that during the gezi protests the

clear that during the gezi protests the brutality of state violence and terror

brutality of state violence and terror

brutality of state violence and terror them showed the changing nature of AKP

them showed the changing nature of AKP

them showed the changing nature of AKP role and despite its democratic policies

role and despite its democratic policies

role and despite its democratic policies take a peep war the last election in

take a peep war the last election in

take a peep war the last election in 2015 again but this time with the really

2015 again but this time with the really

2015 again but this time with the really small margin as 49.5% and I believe

small margin as 49.5% and I believe

small margin as 49.5% and I believe since then

since then

since then turkey is internal turmoil with a

turkey is internal turmoil with a

turkey is internal turmoil with a bitterly divided and deeply polarized

bitterly divided and deeply polarized

bitterly divided and deeply polarized society and the second key event after

society and the second key event after

society and the second key event after the gezi Park protests was a failed coup

the gezi Park protests was a failed coup

the gezi Park protests was a failed coup attempt again you might remember that to

attempt again you might remember that to

attempt again you might remember that to place in a 2016 the failed coup attempt

place in a 2016 the failed coup attempt

place in a 2016 the failed coup attempt was just a tip of the iceberg and much

was just a tip of the iceberg and much

was just a tip of the iceberg and much worse followed the symbol of the Turkish

worse followed the symbol of the Turkish

worse followed the symbol of the Turkish parliamentary the Grand National

parliamentary the Grand National

parliamentary the Grand National Assembly was bought by the members of

Assembly was bought by the members of

Assembly was bought by the members of the country’s own security forces and

the country’s own security forces and

the country’s own security forces and coup plotters attacked civilians on the

coup plotters attacked civilians on the

coup plotters attacked civilians on the streets of Istanbul and Ankara the

streets of Istanbul and Ankara the

streets of Istanbul and Ankara the thankou attempt united people on the

thankou attempt united people on the

thankou attempt united people on the streets as well as the party leaders

streets as well as the party leaders

streets as well as the party leaders including the AKP s opponents which

including the AKP s opponents which

including the AKP s opponents which sided with democracy or rather they’re

sided with democracy or rather they’re

sided with democracy or rather they’re retired on one start on was issued that

retired on one start on was issued that

retired on one start on was issued that the government had taken control of the

the government had taken control of the

the government had taken control of the situation

situation

situation he quickly announced that the failed

he quickly announced that the failed

he quickly announced that the failed coup was a gift from God that would help

coup was a gift from God that would help

coup was a gift from God that would help him to cleanse Turkey for turkeys

him to cleanse Turkey for turkeys

him to cleanse Turkey for turkeys internal enemies including the army and

internal enemies including the army and

internal enemies including the army and the pro-islamic colonist movement and he

the pro-islamic colonist movement and he

the pro-islamic colonist movement and he quickly highlighted that he killed

quickly highlighted that he killed

quickly highlighted that he killed Islam’s be like movement of running a

Islam’s be like movement of running a

Islam’s be like movement of running a parallel state with the aim of

parallel state with the aim of

parallel state with the aim of overthrowing AKP government

paradoxically while people were more

paradoxically while people were more supporting democracy and Dawn was seen

supporting democracy and Dawn was seen

supporting democracy and Dawn was seen as the defender of civilian rule while

as the defender of civilian rule while

as the defender of civilian rule while similar

similar

similar clamping down on civil liberties and

clamping down on civil liberties and

clamping down on civil liberties and this is this take us to the third event

this is this take us to the third event

this is this take us to the third event that shows a silent regime change has

that shows a silent regime change has

that shows a silent regime change has been taking place is the presidential

been taking place is the presidential

been taking place is the presidential and random in 2017 because I Don used

and random in 2017 because I Don used

and random in 2017 because I Don used the failed coup attempt to increase

the failed coup attempt to increase

the failed coup attempt to increase support for his suggested changes

support for his suggested changes

support for his suggested changes especially to transfer to change turkeys

especially to transfer to change turkeys

especially to transfer to change turkeys political system from a parliamentarian

political system from a parliamentarian

political system from a parliamentarian democracy to an executive presidency and

democracy to an executive presidency and

democracy to an executive presidency and this is one the presidential referendum

this is one the presidential referendum

this is one the presidential referendum took place in 2017 again that deeply

took place in 2017 again that deeply

took place in 2017 again that deeply divided society became very visible

divided society became very visible

divided society became very visible because only 51.4 people voted yes to

because only 51.4 people voted yes to

because only 51.4 people voted yes to change Turkey is a political system and

change Turkey is a political system and

change Turkey is a political system and the democratically have brought change

the democratically have brought change

the democratically have brought change of political system and the Constitution

of political system and the Constitution

of political system and the Constitution leads to a stronger presidency with

leads to a stronger presidency with

leads to a stronger presidency with extended powers and president Adan will

extended powers and president Adan will

extended powers and president Adan will remain in power probably as late as 2029

remain in power probably as late as 2029

remain in power probably as late as 2029 in short Turkey will be ruled by the

in short Turkey will be ruled by the

in short Turkey will be ruled by the same leader for 30 years this has never

same leader for 30 years this has never

same leader for 30 years this has never happened before unless it was under

happened before unless it was under

happened before unless it was under Ottoman Sultans this never happened in

Ottoman Sultans this never happened in

Ottoman Sultans this never happened in modern Turkey I lived