The London School of Economics and Political Science

Abstract

women with Muslim headscarves? Issues raised by women in relation to the wearing of Muslim headscarves challenge the assumed democratic rights of citizens and the conditions of distribution of social goods, such as education, in many countries in Europe. These demands to wear headscarves also point to a cleavage in the assumed relationship between state and civil society in democratic systems. By looking at the situation in Turkey, this study questions the priority given to civil society in the analysis of democratic systems as the space for social negotiation through which marginalized voices can participate in the democratic discussions. It is instead argued that in cases where state and the civil society are closely associated and share a similar socio-cultural value system in relation to the broader national identity, then the civil society ‘space ’ is in practice very limited. This has serious consequences for both the claims of women in headscarves and for democratic rights in general. Key words: democracy, distributive justice, education, rights The problem of headscarves which has been brought to attention in Turkey at various times, hides behind the rhetoric of democracy, but is nothing but an attempt to obscure democratic achievements. Because our citizens in their private lives are able to comply in full and with absolute freedom, with their religion’s requirements. The use of reli-gious symbols for political ends and the use of sacred religious feelings for foul ends cannot be tolerated. This would contradict the structure of laic democracy, the freedom of consciousness, principles of equality as