The Evaluation of Parliamentary Democracy in Turkey and Turkish Political Elites - Case Study Example

Does Turkey Have To Attain Modernity By Implementing Westernization? From the onset, the distinction between modernization and westernization need to be made clear as these terms have confusingly been used as synonyms. In the past, modernization and westernization were considered to be the same thing, but in the resent times this has changed. Modernization is considered to be the use of modern technology and techniques in daily lives. Modernization is seen to be more on the technological side. Westernization is said to be the adoption of cultures practiced by the western countries in Europe and America. As Stroll (par. 1) puts it, though Turkey lied in the most important region during the Ottomans reign, it is seen as the most westernized Islamic country. Some of the steps considered to have been taken by Ataturk to westernize turkey include the banning of the traditional men’s hat called the fez replacing it with European styled ones, Latin alphabets replaced Arabic writing. He also introduced European calendar and metric systems in place of the Arabic ones. Women could vote and be in charge of offices, and it was illegal for them to wear veils. Other reforms include abolishment of sultanate and Dervish brotherhood, establishment of Islam as the official religion in the constitution deleted and Sunday became the official weekly holiday. The army was reorganized to conform to the patterns of western world such as England. European schools were established in turkey and students sent to countries such as France to help accelerate the rate of westernization (Arslan 134). In the wake of the coup in 1980, the military drafted a constitution proclaiming turkey secular, democratic and parliamentary nation. This is as seen the beginning of westernization of Turkey as this meant the country had opened up itself to the worlds influence (as its primary allies have been the west) politically, socially and security wise. It has even moved to become a candidate of European Union membership. Its relationship with the EU began in 1996 when they formed a custom union, then later becoming a candidate of EU membership in 1999 (Global Edge par. 11). Other economic organizations Turkey has subscribed to include World Trade Organization, European Free Trade Association, United Nations, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (Global Edge par. 11). Even though westernization brought with it economic and technological glory, it also tags along with itself tragedy, confusion, and defeatism. With all these changes brought forth by westernization, Turkey still remains stagnated toward the realization of its full potential as an economic force. Could it be possible that this stagnation is caused by westernization? Is there a different way of approach that can be employed to free Turkey from its current position or must it just be westernization as a route to modernization? Modernization without westernization is not a new thing as it has been tried and tested by other economies, and in some cases, these economies have grown to be top class. China unlike Turkey, took a different route towards modernization that did not pass through westernization, this did not just prove that westernization is not the only way to realize modernization, but China went on to become the second largest economy globally. After a failed attempt to import modernism and breed it to suit their purposes that only led to them watching their nation fall way deep into wars and suffering of the people, they decided to follow a different route b(Li par. 10). A revolution that started in 1979 when the communist party took power yet in just 32 years they have some of the fastest computers and trains. In China, an individual is part of a society and remains dependent to it. Political power remains central under one authority and not divided. Yet still China has an economical market that has seen many rise from their poverty levels to riches (Li par. 12). China’s success and sustainability is owed to its highly concentrated public investments, technological innovation, and protected market. Though foreign investments helped reconstruct the economy, it was within the stipulated regulations by the state. Compared to Turkey, China’s export strategy went on to bring heavy surplus that even saw them become creditors to the United States of America. To sustain such growth meant they needed a great supply of raw materials, this saw them enter into trade agreements with mineral producing countries in Latin America and Africa. This led to them surpassing America and Europe as main trading partner with countries in Africa and Latin America (Petras par. 17). As stated by Petras (par. 21) Chinas economic growth is estimated at 9% per annum as compared to that of United States and Europe that is stuck around 0% per annum. It has even gone ahead to replace America and Europe’s major economic institutions such as the IMF, world Bank and the Inter American Development Bank to become the chief creditor in Latin America. Unlike Turkey, China has gone ahead to independently become the leading investor in energy sector in Africa surpassing the US. It has also become the prime market for petroleum products from countries such as Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran and is soon becoming a lead market for petroleum products from Venezuela ahead of US and Europe. Today it has moved ahead to become the lead manufacturer and exporter in the world, with products that have dominated the western countries such as United States, as it also acts as an economic lifeline holding upto $1.3 billion treasury notes of US.As compared to Turkey and other westernized countries China has developed its economic market as it increased wages and salaries to ease growing pressure from workers and farmers and bring a social balance (Petras par. 21). Another economy that has developed without westernization is Japan. Unlike Turkey, it did not allow western imperialism within its borders, but focused to be at the same level with these powers internationally by developing its industry and military. It created new banks to provide capital for investments, improved its transport system to ease communication, restrictions such as internal tariffs were removed, land reforms implemented to encourage individual investments. The government also introduced a system of education that focused on science, technology and patriotism (Pearson par. 15). Considered to be one of the most developed countries on the globe, its products such as Toyota, Fujifilm, Sony, and Panasonic have become household names across the world. Japan continues to be one of the worlds imported of raw materials and a leading exported of finished products. With advancements in technology, Japan has some of the most sophisticated robots and a speed train system known to be one of the fastest in the world, known as the bullet train (Web Japan p1-5). Today Turkey is more toward the same line it was trying to escape from years ago. Inflation is said to be at 7%, current account debt is at 7% of GDP and the currency has gone down further (The Economist par. 2). Foreign investments, private savings and exports have diminished. Since the launch of investigations by the prosecutors into waves of allegations on corruption and bribery brought to light a country that might be in crisis. With more corruption cases rising even if others are prosecuted, this has lead to what seem as unsettled investors (The Economist par. 2). Another thing drugging Turkey’s economy is the issue of EU membership. As earlier mentioned, its relationship with the EU began in 1996 when they formed a custom union, only later to become a candidate for EU membership in 1999. Since then, it is yet to become a full member of the EU (Dempsey par. 5). The EU made a decision to start talks on accession with turkey in December 2004 and almost a year later the talks began, a month later Angel Merkel opposed its membership after she was elected as German Chancellor. Two years later Nicholas Sarkozy also opposes its inclusion. Despite 60% referendum vote in favor of EU constitution, the country still isnot a full member, an observation that has seen many frustrated Turks feel that Turkey will never be a member of EU (Dempsey par. 11). If these signals do not serve as a red flag for Turkey to wake up and take up its future, it will remain a rue of missed opportunity. Japan made the step and now it has development into a dominant force technologically, a move that started after attempts to westernize failed completely. And if Japan’s case is seen as one that started way earlier, then a more recent case is that of China. Over 30 years ago no one would have known that it would be a major player in the world’s economy. Situations forced China to break out and take up the risk to develop its industries, technology, and education and transport system. Its export system has grown to a level where it is influencing major parts of the world such as the USA, and Europe. If Turkey is to makes things better for the coming generation, it would be worth taking the risk towards modernity by braking from westernization. Work Cited Arslan, Ali. The evaluation of parliamentary democracy in turkey and Turkish political elites. HAOL, invierno, no. 6, pp.131–141. 2005. Print. Dempsey, Judy. Strategic Europe, Judy Asks: Is Turkey Becoming More Western or Less? 2013. Web. http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=52077 Global Edge. Turkey, government, principal government officials. 2013. Web. http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/turkey/government Kids Web Japan. Explore japan, economy and industry. 2014. Web. http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/economy/ Li E. The Christian Science Monitor, Global Viewpoint, How China broke the Wests monopoly on modernization. 2011. Web. http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Global-Viewpoint/2011/0428/How-China-broke-the-West-s-monopoly-on-modernization Pearson. World civilization, Chapter 27: Russia Japan, Industrialization outside the west. 2014. Web. http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wcap_4/18/4652/1190942.cw/ Petras J. Global research, China: Rise, Fall and Re-Emergence as a Global Power, The Lessons of History. 2014. Web. http://www.globalresearch.ca/china-rise-fall-and-re-emergence-as-a-global-power/29644 Stroll C. Computer science & history, The Westernization of Turkey. 2009. Web. http://christopherstoll.org/2009/11/westernization-of-turkey.html The Economist. Turkeys Economy, the Mask is off, political Turmoil causes economic malaise. 2014. Web. http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21593496-political-turmoil-exposes-economic-malaise-mask Read More