The tug of war between Secularism and Islamism in Turkey

The article deals with a period of political tension in Turkey, that is, from the electoral victory of the Refah (Welfare) party in 1995 and up to the prohibition of Refah and the formation of a new Islamist party, Fazilet (Virtue) in 1998. We will look at various arenas in which the tug of war between Islamist and secularist, authoritarian and democratic forces was played out: the education sector, the economic and political spheres, the media and the use of symbols. There is a mood of great uncertainty as Turkey approaches its parliamentary elections in April 1999. Our review of the two-year period 1996-1998 and the political offensive against Islamism shows that the Council of National Security is a major player in the modern Turkish Republic. The period illustrates the struggle between secular and Islamic forces and how democratic structures and institutions are under threat from authoritarian tendencies. After having reviewed the Council's counter-offensive to stop the Islamists, we think it uncertain whether the various measures will reduce their influence in Turkey. It is still an open question whether, in a political atmosphere dominated by corruption, nepotism and personal feuds between the parry leaders, the Council's and the Army's countermeasures will provoke further support for the Islamist movement or whether the authoritarian strategy has once again "saved" Turkish democracy.