Crisis Studies of the Islamic World

Crisis Studies of the Islamic World

The Role of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Curbing the Influence of the Military in Turkish Politics

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 PhD student in Political Science, Public Policy, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
Abstract
The influence of the Turkish armed forces in politics has been one of the key characteristics of the political history of the Republic of Turkey. Since Turkey's independence, the position of the army in the political structure of this country has always been the main topic of political discussions in the history of this country. This article attempts to examine the complexity of military-civilian relations in the political structure of Turkey. From the time of independence until the coming to power of the Justice and Development Party- when the political structure of Turkey was under the control and rule of the military- the Turkish army as a major actor has played a decisive role in shaping political processes at home and abroad. Although at times, civilian governments have tried to overcome the influence of the army (given the weakness of civil society and civilian governments in comparison with the institutional power of the army) it has not been possible to overcome the influence of the army and independence in political decision-making. Using a qualitative method and a descriptive-analytical approach, this article seeks to answer the question of what position the Turkish army has in the political structure of this country during the rule of the Justice and Development Party, especially after the failed coup of 2016. The hypothesis of the article is that during the Justice and Development Party era especially after the failed coup of 2016, as the army transformed from a politically influential institution to one that was influenced by political processes, its position changed from a guardian of the state to a tool for government policy.
Keywords

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Volume 12, Issue 2 - Serial Number 37
Summer Quarterly
Summer 2025

  • Receive Date 19 November 2024
  • Revise Date 09 February 2025
  • Accept Date 13 February 2025