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The Rise of Turkey: The Twenty-First Century's First Muslim Power
Turkey, which has always held an important position in global affairs, has become even more prominent on the international stage as an economic power and a harbinger of political Islam.
During more than ten years in power—an unprecedented tenure—Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) have expanded Turkey’s trade, diplomatic ties, and cultural exports to transform the country from an economically disadvantaged secular state into the first large Muslim nation with a middle-class majority. Erdogan has asserted Turkish influence in high-stakes, high-profile foreign issues from Gaza to Egypt to Syria, often breaking ranks with his NATO allies. Today, from the cafés of the Arab world to the boardrooms of the G-20, Turkey suddenly matters.
The Rise of The Twenty-First Century’s First Muslim Power is a guide to the country’s changes, both in its inspiring national potential and in the grave challenges it poses to regional affairs. Structured as a travelogue, each chapter opens on a different Turkish city and captures a new theme of Turkey’s transformation. From the Kurdish issue to foreign policy, Soner Cagaptay argues that Turkey needs to successfully balance its Muslim identity with its Western orientation in order to solidify its position as a regional and global power.
During more than ten years in power—an unprecedented tenure—Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) have expanded Turkey’s trade, diplomatic ties, and cultural exports to transform the country from an economically disadvantaged secular state into the first large Muslim nation with a middle-class majority. Erdogan has asserted Turkish influence in high-stakes, high-profile foreign issues from Gaza to Egypt to Syria, often breaking ranks with his NATO allies. Today, from the cafés of the Arab world to the boardrooms of the G-20, Turkey suddenly matters.
The Rise of The Twenty-First Century’s First Muslim Power is a guide to the country’s changes, both in its inspiring national potential and in the grave challenges it poses to regional affairs. Structured as a travelogue, each chapter opens on a different Turkish city and captures a new theme of Turkey’s transformation. From the Kurdish issue to foreign policy, Soner Cagaptay argues that Turkey needs to successfully balance its Muslim identity with its Western orientation in order to solidify its position as a regional and global power.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2014
About the author
Soner Çağaptay
6 books23 followersSoner Cagaptay is the Beyer Family Fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 16, 2015
To prepare for a 10-day trip to Turkey that's more of a "get to know the people and culture" visit than a vacation, I wanted to get up to speed on current politics and challenges in this Muslim-majority country on the edge of Europe. This book was absolutely perfect for that purpose. The author is very knowledgeable, with excellent credentials. The writing style is straightforward and clear, like most articles in Foreign Policy. It takes us right up to the brink of 2014, so it does not include the election of former prime minister Erdogan to the presidency -- but it makes many references to that then-upcoming election.
While this book might seem dated in just a few years (especially after the situation in Syria is resolved), for now it provides a satisfying introduction to Turkey's 21st century political climate, ethnic and religious factions, economic success, allies and enemies, and relationship to the EU. It leaves out most of the country's pre-Ataturk history, only bringing in the residual effects of the Ottoman empire on today's residents and neighbors of Turkey. It spends a lot of time on the Kurds (about whom I now feel much more knowledgeable) and the Alevis (about whom I knew nothing before this). Most important, I think, is the clarity in explaining how and why Turkey's earlier desire to join the EU has largely waned.
While this book might seem dated in just a few years (especially after the situation in Syria is resolved), for now it provides a satisfying introduction to Turkey's 21st century political climate, ethnic and religious factions, economic success, allies and enemies, and relationship to the EU. It leaves out most of the country's pre-Ataturk history, only bringing in the residual effects of the Ottoman empire on today's residents and neighbors of Turkey. It spends a lot of time on the Kurds (about whom I now feel much more knowledgeable) and the Alevis (about whom I knew nothing before this). Most important, I think, is the clarity in explaining how and why Turkey's earlier desire to join the EU has largely waned.
January 4, 2020
I was expecting this book to have a comprehensive analysis of Turkey's modern economic history, the book failed to do that. There was a lot of what Turkey could be than it actually is. The basic premise of the book is that Turkey is shifting toward East, economically and politically. Whereas since 1920s the emphasis was to get close to Europe economically and politically, now Turkey is paying attention to Middle East and rest of the Islamic world. The book implies it's the best political and economic model that Islamic and particularly Arab world could ask for. One interesting thing that I found in this book was non-existent of Azarbijan and other Central Asian reppublics, with whom Turkey has strong cultural and economic ties, instead the book mostly focuses on Arab world vis-a-vis Turkey.
The author does a good job of explaining Turkish political scene, however, anyone who follows Turkey can detect that there is clear attempt to minimize the Kurdish issue. The author struggle to explain how the so called Turkish democracy is different from authoritarian dictatorships when it comes to its treatment of Kurds.
It is true that Turkey might become an upper-middle or rich county in the near future, but it's not the only Muslim-majority country in that category. The question is if Turkey's democracy with the rising economy truly make it an exceptional country. The recent trends point to the opposition direction when it comes to democracy and minority rights.
The author does a good job of explaining Turkish political scene, however, anyone who follows Turkey can detect that there is clear attempt to minimize the Kurdish issue. The author struggle to explain how the so called Turkish democracy is different from authoritarian dictatorships when it comes to its treatment of Kurds.
It is true that Turkey might become an upper-middle or rich county in the near future, but it's not the only Muslim-majority country in that category. The question is if Turkey's democracy with the rising economy truly make it an exceptional country. The recent trends point to the opposition direction when it comes to democracy and minority rights.
September 30, 2016
Pretty basic overview of recent developments in Turkey over the past decade and a half, except that the book was published in 2014 before a wave of political unrest struck the country. The book is very positive and boosterish, but also makes warns of a number of dangers that appear to have borne out. None of the information will be particularly new to anyone with a familiarity of Turkish politics and history, this is more of a policy handbook than a book in the traditional sense.
August 17, 2017
The book was an enjoyable read, giving a very clear overview of Turkey's past, current environment and the path forward.
The relationship Turkey has with its "ancestors" and neighbours were relayed in such a concise flavour, shining light on the current events in the Middle East.
It was part history, part international relations relayed in very interesting literature.
A very pleasurable book indeed
The relationship Turkey has with its "ancestors" and neighbours were relayed in such a concise flavour, shining light on the current events in the Middle East.
It was part history, part international relations relayed in very interesting literature.
A very pleasurable book indeed
January 15, 2015
A good primer of what has led to the creation of present day Turkey and thoughtful primer of how and why Recep Erdogan has risen to the level of power he holds today. Clearly, Turkey is emerging as both a critical power in the region and a perplexing ally to the West - and NATO specifically. Soner Cagaptay's book is a must-read to help unravel the mystery of the rise of Turkey.
February 23, 2016
This book is not a very deep look at Turkey, but it offers a nice blend of boosterism and caution. Overall it gives a good account of the past few decade's ascendance of the Turkish state, and makes predictions about what that will mean for Turkey, for Europe, and for the region. If you are interested in having a good surface understanding of Turkey right now, then this is a good place to start.
April 25, 2017
This was published in 2014 so it's obviously missing analysis of the more recent developments in Turkey and the surrounding neighborhood, but this provides some good context for the climate that exists there and the Erdoğan administration.
December 31, 2014
An interesting book but also with a political view that not all agree on. Not finished so I will conclude later.
April 11, 2015
Valuable insights.
July 25, 2020
This short and concise book effectively explains the rise of islamic-based (AKP) political elan within last decade in Turkey, boom of economic growth, and shifting of foreign politics orientation, knitted with its concomitances and problems.
These excerpts tell a little:
"Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, modern Turkey became a nation- state, turning toward Europe and abandoning the Middle East. During the last (2) decades, along with Turkey’s record- breaking economic growth (trebled GDP), its foreign policy has shifted. It is no longer a poor country desperately seeking accession to the EU. Indeed, as politi- cal turmoil paralyzes the Middle East and economic meltdown devastates much of Mediterranean Europe, Turkey (together with France) is the only country in the region that has been spared. Prior to the Arab Spring Turkey’s foreign policy had shifted away from Europe, building Turkey more infuence in the Middle East. After coming to power in 2002, the AKP cultivated ties with former Ottoman lands in the Middle East. The hope was that this would jump- start integration between Turkey and its neighbors, creating something like the 1950s “Benelux” bloc of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg."
And on the approach to secularism & Arab's neighborhood,
"Since 2002 Ataturk’s French- inspired model promoting freedom from religion in government, education, and poli- tics has collapsed. Instead, the AKP and its allies have promoted a softer form of secularism that allows for freedom of religion. This has made the Turkish model appealing to socially conservative Arab countries", especially post Arab Springs where Turkey aims to rise up as regional leader.
However, the path of economic ascendancy combined with maintaining popular islamic identity, has come with a cost: rising of social conservatism & intolerance (familiar problems with a Muslim majority country, like Indonesia, lately). It can be understood that Islamic parties tend to use social conservatism as fuel for its political vehicles.
"A fact that is missing to most observers of politics in Muslim countries— and in fact to most Muslims and Turks is that conservatism and religiosity are not conjoined twins. One can be religious and not conservative, or conservative but not religious. Yet the akp defnes the two as interchangeable in the Turkish context."
A truly valuable lesson for other Muslim countries who want to emulate the Turkey model.
These excerpts tell a little:
"Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, modern Turkey became a nation- state, turning toward Europe and abandoning the Middle East. During the last (2) decades, along with Turkey’s record- breaking economic growth (trebled GDP), its foreign policy has shifted. It is no longer a poor country desperately seeking accession to the EU. Indeed, as politi- cal turmoil paralyzes the Middle East and economic meltdown devastates much of Mediterranean Europe, Turkey (together with France) is the only country in the region that has been spared. Prior to the Arab Spring Turkey’s foreign policy had shifted away from Europe, building Turkey more infuence in the Middle East. After coming to power in 2002, the AKP cultivated ties with former Ottoman lands in the Middle East. The hope was that this would jump- start integration between Turkey and its neighbors, creating something like the 1950s “Benelux” bloc of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg."
And on the approach to secularism & Arab's neighborhood,
"Since 2002 Ataturk’s French- inspired model promoting freedom from religion in government, education, and poli- tics has collapsed. Instead, the AKP and its allies have promoted a softer form of secularism that allows for freedom of religion. This has made the Turkish model appealing to socially conservative Arab countries", especially post Arab Springs where Turkey aims to rise up as regional leader.
However, the path of economic ascendancy combined with maintaining popular islamic identity, has come with a cost: rising of social conservatism & intolerance (familiar problems with a Muslim majority country, like Indonesia, lately). It can be understood that Islamic parties tend to use social conservatism as fuel for its political vehicles.
"A fact that is missing to most observers of politics in Muslim countries— and in fact to most Muslims and Turks is that conservatism and religiosity are not conjoined twins. One can be religious and not conservative, or conservative but not religious. Yet the akp defnes the two as interchangeable in the Turkish context."
A truly valuable lesson for other Muslim countries who want to emulate the Turkey model.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews