Turks and Kurds doomed to join hands against AKP

For those who still have doubts about authoritarianism in Turkey, I strongly recommend they read the recent academic work by the Republican People?s Party (CHP) called ?The authoritarianization of the regime and the Justice and Development Party [AKP] rule.?

Those die-hard AKP opponents might be surprised to hear about the presence of those who might have their doubts about the authoritarian nature of the AKP government. But some foreigners for instance who know Turkey?s recent past, the 80?s or the 90?s, have listened with suspicion to those who draw a very dark picture of Turkey.

?When we talk with representatives of the non-Muslim minorities for instance, they do admit that there are still a lot of problems but say they are much better off than in the past,? a European diplomat once told me.

When I raised the issue with Professor Sencer Ayata, who led the team penning the work, he underlined one more time the essential problem of modern day authoritarian regimes: they hide their oppression behind what appears to be ?democratic institutions.? In other words, modern day authoritarian rulers are wolves who come disguised under democracy?s sheep?s clothing, to use another scholar?s, Ozan Varol?s, metaphor.

?With modern day authoritarianism, it?s always two steps ahead, one step behind,? said Ayata, in answer to those who talk about democratic progress under AKP rule. In his meeting with a group of journalist last week, Ayata explained how the AKP?s systematic work which targeted nearly all aspects of life, from education to the media, from the judiciary to the economy, was sliding Turkey into a semi-totalitarian regime.

?Why semi-totalitarian? Why don?t you call it totalitarian, strait forward?? asked a journalist. ?Because...