Political Violence in Turkey, 1975-1980 - (Contemporary Turkey) by Benjamin Gourisse (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book examines the period of political violence in Turkey between 12 March 1971 and 12 September 1980. It sets out a close analysis of the tactics used by the various protagonists in the conflict, showing how they took over public institutions, the first of which was the police. This book challenges the myth of a 'strong' Turkish state viewed as authoritative and autonomous from society, instead reflecting a state that was unable to contain the political mobilisation actually taking place. In the book, Benjamin Gourisse analyses the structure, mobilisation, and strategies of antagonistic radical political groups caught up in this dynamic of violence, including the far-left organisations and the Nationalist Movement, comprising the Nationalist Movement Party and its satellite organisations. Gourisse demonstrates that from 1975 to 1980, the state was never "out of play". Quite the contrary, in fact, for its institutions, together with the practices, beliefs, and representations of their members and users, were central to the processes constituting the crisis.

Review Quotes

This book is a very well conducted study of a specific period in Turkey's political evolution, which led, on 12 September 1980, to a coup, a rewriting of the constitution, and an overhaul of institutions, which are still ongoing, and have, in a slew of recent elections, become a topic of passionate debate.
Gérard Groc, Revue des mondes musulmans et de la Méditerranée

This study is interesting for bringing out the flagrant gap in protagonists' resources. [...] In seeking to understand the reasons for the growing place violence came to acquire in the Turkish political field over this period, the author establishes points of comparison with the Weimar Republic. For him, it is a matter of questioning the Turkish state's pretended neutrality during this troubled period. [...] This fascinating study is obligatory reading, feeding the imaginary of the "deep state". The book sets out to be a precious key for deciphering the bitter, behind-the-scenes struggle currently being waged between partisans of "Super President" Recep Tayyip Erdogan and supporters of the Fethullah Gülen neo-brotherhood.
Tigrane Yegavian, France Arménie magazine, Les comptes rendus

About the Author

Benjamin Gourisse is Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po Toulouse, France. His research focuses on the political sociology of contemporary Turkey, including state sociology, political parties, the armed forces, and state-society relations. He co-edited Order and Compromise. Government Practices in Turkey from the Late Ottoman Empire to the Early 21st Century (2015) and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles.