Has Turkey Become a Fascist State?
Seventy years after the defeat of Nazi
Germany, fascism has reemerged with a vengeance. This resurgence can be
seen all over Europe and the former Soviet bloc, perhaps most notably in
Ukraine where Nazism masquerading as nationalist patriotism has
effectively embedded itself in the political and military institutions
of the country, all with the backing of the United States and European
Union. From racist rhetoric and xenophobia in Western Europe, to
torch-lit parades with fascist iconography in Greece and Ukraine, this
virulent disease is once again infecting the body politic of the
European continent.
However, just to the East, and with very
little fanfare from sociologists, political scientists, and the
international Left, Turkey has quietly been transformed into an
aggressive, and deeply reactionary, country where civil and human rights
are trampled under the weight of so-called “nationalism.” Under the
leadership of first Prime Minister, and now President, Erdogan, Turkey
has eschewed its once deeply held desire to be accepted as a liberal
democracy in the community of European nations, and instead chosen the
trajectory of regional hegemony abroad and fascist thuggery at home.
little fanfare from sociologists, political scientists, and the
international Left, Turkey has quietly been transformed into an
aggressive, and deeply reactionary, country where civil and human rights
are trampled under the weight of so-called “nationalism.” Under the
leadership of first Prime Minister, and now President, Erdogan, Turkey
has eschewed its once deeply held desire to be accepted as a liberal
democracy in the community of European nations, and instead chosen the
trajectory of regional hegemony abroad and fascist thuggery at home.
Now, it should be said at the outset,
that the term fascism can take on many meanings, particularly in light
of its historical development and context. One must also be careful not
to use the term haphazardly at the risk of robbing it of its true
meaning. Indeed, it would not be fair to say that Turkey in 2015 is as
fascist as Ukraine or Germany under Hitler; such a description would be
grossly irresponsible and not at all accurate.
that the term fascism can take on many meanings, particularly in light
of its historical development and context. One must also be careful not
to use the term haphazardly at the risk of robbing it of its true
meaning. Indeed, it would not be fair to say that Turkey in 2015 is as
fascist as Ukraine or Germany under Hitler; such a description would be
grossly irresponsible and not at all accurate.
However, a close analysis of Turkey in
the ‘Age of Erdogan’ does reveal a country that has given over to
violence as a political tool, repression and censorship as standard
government practice, and sponsorship of terrorism as foreign policy. If
it hasn’t already earned its fascist moniker, it may well be on its way.
First appeared: http://journal-neo.org/2015/09/21/has-turkey-become-a-fascist-state/
the ‘Age of Erdogan’ does reveal a country that has given over to
violence as a political tool, repression and censorship as standard
government practice, and sponsorship of terrorism as foreign policy. If
it hasn’t already earned its fascist moniker, it may well be on its way.
First appeared: http://journal-neo.org/2015/09/21/has-turkey-become-a-fascist-state/
