Study by main opposition CHP argues Turkey is sliding toward 'semi-totalitarian' regime

A new academic study by the main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP) argues that the authoritarianism of Turkey?s ruling party has gone beyond the political sphere to include all of society, including the cultural and economic spheres. As a result, Turkey is sliding toward a ?semi-totalitarian? regime.

Modern day authoritarianism does not rely on physical force, or violence, according to Professor Sencer Ayata, a deputy head of the CHP, who headed the team that prepared the study.  

?In name and form there is democracy in Turkey, but the problem is in the implementation,? Ayata said on May 29, speaking to a group of journalists in Istanbul. ?The oppression, for instance, is hidden behind the law.? 

Turkey is under a ?disguised, or masked, authoritarianism,? he added. But while other authoritarian regimes that restrict political freedoms refrain from interfering in personal freedoms and private lives, the AKP?s rule both limits political freedoms and stages multifaceted interventions in personal lifestyles.

?The Justice and Development Party?s [AKP] practices are abolishing the divide between the government and the state. There is an integration of a political party, the government, and the state,? Ayata said. The principle of the ?will of the people? is taken as the basis of all rule by the AKP. This ?national will? is understood as the majority in parliament. But while the power of the executive is being expanded, the legislative body - in other words, parliament - is seen as a sub-branch of the executive. 

With the increasing practice of passing multi-article omnibus laws, parliament is being treated as little more than the ?ministry for enacting laws? and its ?inspection authority? is being weakened, according to...