Freedom House says Turkish papers resorted to anti-Semitism
Today’s Zaman
They include the government’s recent releases of journalists in the Ergenekon and KCK cases, regressive changes to Turkey’s Internet law 5651, the blocking of Twitter and YouTube, and the law increasing intelligence,” the statement said, adding that .
Turkey’s Institutions Problem
erikmeyersson.com ? Erik ? May 3, 2:55 PM ? Turkey has an institutions problem. There, I said it. The problem of Turkey’s institutions is the following: it’s a country with stronger-than-average state powers combined with weaker-than-average citizens’ rights. To see this, just take a look at
A one sided affair: how Erdoğan was able to mobilize the female vote
open Democracy News Analysis – by Sezen Yaraş and Ahu Yigit
Within the AKP there is not much room for women seeking political agency beyond the discourse of victimhood.
Amidst allegations of large-scale government corruption, as well as growing concerns of one party authoritarianism, Turkey?s ruling party AKP emerged victorious from the local elections held on March 30 under the leadership of its chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. An important part of Erdoğan?s electoral success was his effective mobilization of women.According to the polls, more than half of the AKP votes were likely to be cast by women. Yet in return for their support women got little more than a thank you message delivered during the prime minister?s post-election victory speech. Only 1% of AKP mayors elected at the city and the district level are female.
Watch company contradicts former Turkish minister?s defense over bribing claims
You can find Eric Meyersson?s fascinating statistical analysis of Turkey?s institutions here. His practical, fact-based approach is a refreshing alternative to news hyperbole.
The takeaway:
Thus the problem is not simply that its institutions are bad, but that they are unbalanced toward state power at the expense of citizens? rights, executive constraints, as well as openness and accountability.
Moreover, this imbalance appears to be getting worse?
Turkey?s institutions are correlated with countries that have significant authoritarian characteristics and strong security establishments, some ? like Iran, Russia, and Belarus ? are international pariahs.
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