Human rights and democratization: Turkish politics in the european context

Abstract

The changing and challenging international normative and political environments constitute a significant constraint on national governments in their domestic human rights policy as well as foreign affairs. The European context, with its constraints, concerns and attempts to influence, has put considerable pressure on Turkish governments since the 1980 military coup. In this context, the issues of democracy and human rights have posed a threat to Turkey's foreign policy options and the maintenance of its Western linkages. Having had deep‐rooted political, ideological, economic and defence linkages with the West, Turkey became vulnerable and responsive to Western influence exercised to improve democratic institutions and to protect and promote human rights.