The Erosion of Democracy: Lessons from Turkey and Beyond
Over the past two decades, nations such as Turkey, Hungary, Venezuela, and India have illustrated how democracy can gradually devolve into a system termed “competitive authoritarianism.” This framework allows for elections that appear meaningful on the surface, but in reality, leaders manipulate the electoral process to serve their interests while systematically undermining civil liberties.
Now, we are beginning to witness the repercussions when even a semblance of democracy becomes perceived as a substantial threat to authoritarian regimes. A striking example of this phenomenon is currently unfolding in Turkey, where widespread protests have erupted following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a leading figure in the opposition. The government has leveled serious accusations against him, including bribery, bid rigging, and the misuse of citizens’ personal data; however, Imamoglu has vehemently denied these charges. In a further twist, Istanbul University revoked his diploma, a critical requirement for anyone aspiring to run for the presidency in Turkey.
Imamoglu’s rising popularity had positioned him as a formidable candidate in the forthcoming presidential election. Notably, he was incarcerated on the very day his party held its presidential primary, a move that experts interpret as a clear signal that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is no longer willing to afford the opposition a legitimate chance to contest in the elections.
Political analysts suggest that Erdogan has recognized a troubling reality: despite his manipulative strategies, he might not be able to outmaneuver Imamoglu at the polls. According to Lisel Hintz, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University specializing in Turkish politics, “This move is an anticipatory action, attempting to eliminate the one individual who poses a credible challenge to Erdogan’s authority from the electoral arena.” She elaborates, “This marks a significant transition from what we describe as competitive authoritarianism to outright authoritarian rule.”
