Does presidentialism breed dictatorship - the case of Turkey and the Erdogan regime

Abstract

This thesis inquires into presidentialism and its compatibility with democracy. Despite its poor record of achieving sustainable democracy, it is still considered a democratic form of government. Presidentialism is criticized in various ways. Problems arise due to its intrinsic institutional design or due to the political environment where presidentialism is applied. This thesis discusses presidentialism in both ways. Presidentialism and its intrinsic problems and the political environment, the case of Turkey where it is going to be applied. The aim of the thesis is to examine the presidential system and its possible effect on governmental system in Turkey. Whether Turkey will manage to protect its fragile democratic institutions or fall into dictatorship is the main question of this thesis. The thesis also includes the measurement of presidential power to give a comprehensive view on the nature of the presidential system in Turkey. The examination of the constitutional amendment and the Turkish party system reveals that the new system seems likely does not have the necessary institutional tools to provide sustainable democracy.