5 - 1993–2002: The 1990s and the Crises of Democracy

Summary

Introduction

The death of Turgut Özal brought a colourful period in Turkish political history to its end. Yet, this did not signify a change; rather, politics continued its usual pattern despite a changing landscape marked by the arrival of emerging new leaders on the political scene. The 1990s were marred by major political upheavals, economic instability, a violent conflict raging in the southeast of the country and governments collapsing as quickly as they had been established. Mirroring past behaviour patterns, political leaders were responsible for the economic, political and democratic crises that marked this decade. In the midst of these crises, the military intervened once again on 28 February 1997 to decide the fate of the sitting government.

This chapter's opening discussion focuses on the prominent politician Erdal İnönü, an anomaly within the leadership culture at this juncture. Juxtaposing experiences under İnönü exposes the level of authoritarianism of Turkish leaders and its negative impact on political outcomes. The chapter then shifts its focus to Tansu Çiller, as a central political actor throughout this era. Although Çiller symbolised a generational shift in leadership, her conduct in power resembled that of the traditional political culture and shaped antidemocratic political developments of the period. The analysis then extends its focus to the fractious coalition governments between Çiller and Mesut Yılmaz: an unstable period fuelled by the two leaders’ clamour for power, at a cost to the country's stability. Next, this chapter will survey Necmettin Erbakan's political leadership style to illustrate how his regular demonstration of Islamist values were a causal factor for the 1997 intervention. Furthermore, it will explore how Süleyman Demirel, as the President, played a critical role behind the scenes in accommodating the military intervention and subsequent breakdown of the government. The chapter ends with Bülent Ecevit, who, despite his political experience, showed that his leadership style was starkly reminiscent of the CHP in the 1970s, as manifested in similarly grave consequences for his government.