Effects of the February 28, 1997, Postmodern Coup on Turkish Political Life

Abstract

Throughout Turkey’s political history, democracy has not been practiced at various intervals and for various reasons. Coup periods in particular appear to be problematic for democracy and human rights. On the one hand, coups put pressure on political actors, while on the other hand, they cause Turkish society to experience dilemmas in many areas. This study examined the process in which the then-government was forced to resign as a result of the National Security Council’s (MGK) decisions dated February 28, 1997, which is described as a postmodern coup in political terms. In addition, the study investigated the impact of influential actors such as the army and the media in this process and the limits of the outcomes of this process on social life. February 28 was a period of societal mobilization during which a section of society was targeted through the media, and finally, with a directive given by the military, civilian politics was shelved and authoritarian rule was experienced.