Democracy or Stability: The US Policy Towards Turkish Experiment in Democracy 1945-1980

Authors : Murat Özata

Pages : 159-182

Doi:10.26650/iutd.1496002

View : 47 | Download : 39

Publication Date : 2024-10-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The concept of democracy plays an important role in the US foreign policy. American Presidents use democracy as a motivating force for their policies worldwide. This study examines the policies of the American administrations concerning the democratic developments and coups in the Republic of Turkiye between 1945 and 1983. The influence of the US administration, as the most important proponent of liberal democracy, on Turkiye\'s transition to multi-party rule and its approach to the coups of May 27, September 12, and the March 12 memorandum will be discussed based on the American sources in the present study. In addition to the American National Archives, Congressional Records, Official Publications, the American newspapers of the period, and the memoirs of diplomats who served in Turkiye were used as the primary sources of the study. These sources enabled the evaluation of the development of Turkish democracy from the American perspective. The US attitude towards Turkish democracy will also reveal whether democracy is a goal or a tool of the US foreign policy towards Turkiye.
Keywords : Demokrasi, ABD, Darbe, Askeri Müdahale