Promoting or demoting democracy abroad? : US and German reactions to the rise of political islam in Turkey

PRIF Report (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt) No. 106, 40 p.

Cemal Karakas

Cemal Karakas analyzes in the new PRIF Report US and German reactions to the rise of political Islam in Turkey.

Islamic to Islamist parties have been elected to government in democratic elections in Turkey on two occasions since the mid-1990s. This has led to a transformation or so-called “Islamization” of Turkey’s domestic and foreign policies and to a power struggle with secular-Kemalist elites in the state and society.

How are the United States and Germany, the biggest donors of foreign and development assistance to Turkey, dealing with these conflicts? This question and the reactions of both countries studies Cemal Karakas in PRIF Report No. 106 Promoting or Demoting Democracy Abroad? US and German reactions to the rise of political Islam in Turkey. He also considers in how far the USA and Germany are facing trade-offs between showing respect for the democratic self-determination of the Islamic government parties and pursuing their own national interests. He concludes by presenting recommendations to “western” promoters of democracy for dealing with Turkey and other Muslim states.

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