Abstract:
This thesis takes up the peculiar development of Political Islam in Turkish politics. It is generally argued that the rise of Islamist movements constitutes a serious barrier to the democratization of Muslim countries. This thesis tries to question this view by showing the resilience of democratic institutions in Turkey in handling the problem of Political Islam. By taking up the model of the center-periphery, it will attempt to show the role of democracy in reducing cultural conflict, enlarging national political agenda and constraining and transforming Political Islam. It stresses also the importance of legal institutions and social factors for the democratization of Muslim countries.
