Written by political scientist, historian and journalist Nikolaos Stelgias the book traces how Turkey slid into a “hybrid” competitive system in which elections still matter but are increasingly constrained by executive dominance, politicised institutions and systemic inequalities. It identifies core “diseases” of Turkish democracy – including socio‑economic underdevelopment, a dependent middle class and the instrumentalisation of the judiciary – that now appear vividly in the CHP case, where judges have effectively reshaped the opposition leadership through controversial rulings. By situating current developments in a longer trajectory of democratic backsliding and power consolidation, Antreou provides the analytical tools needed to interpret why such judicial interventions are possible, and what they mean for the balance of power ahead of future elections.
For journalists, diplomats, scholars and engaged readers, “The Ailing Turkish Democracy” offers a rigorous yet accessible framework that connects Turkey’s political economy, party system and institutional design to today’s crises – from the CHP’s internal turmoil to the broader erosion of checks and balances. At a time when Turkey’s opposition is again being tested, this study is emerging as a key reference point for understanding not just where Turkish democracy stands, but where it may be heading next.
Book details:
Writer: Nikolaos Stelgias
Title: The Ailing Turkish Democracy: The Transformation and Perpetuation of a Hybrid Competitive System
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Place of publication: Newcastle upon Tyne
Edition: 1st edition
Format: Hardback and e‑book