In recent months, Turkey has received a great deal of notice for its strong economy and ostensibly stable democracy, while social unrest and financial upheaval have rocked its neighbors on both sides. Heralded as a potential model for transitioning countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, democratic secularism has been the backbone of the Turkish Republic since its inception in 1923. It is only in recent years, however, that Turkey has begun receiving heightened attention for its combined democratic, capitalist, and secularist merits which make it a viable leader in the region and a recognizable force the world over. While Turkey has undergone its fair share of both social and economic turmoil in decades past, if one takes a quick glance at the state of affairs today, it is easy to see why there is so much buzz surrounding the so-called “Turkish Model.” Turkey bounded onto the world stage in the 21st century, rising quickly as a regional power while strengthening its relationships with neighbors to both the east and west as part of its so-called “zero problems with neighbors” policy. In June of this year the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was ushered into its third term in office by a broad-reaching majority, with Prime Minister Erdoğan fully embracing his role as the man who has brought strength and prosperity to Turkey over the past decade.

Though negotiations for Turkish accession to the European Union have remained stalled since 2006, Erdoğan has maintained a close relationship with Europe, specifically with Chancellor Merkel of Turkey’s “privileged partner” nation Germany, while simultaneously making clear that he has other hands available to shake if the EU continues to hold Turkey at bay. The particular relationship Turkey has with Germany, however, holds greater weight than nearly any of its other international connections, both culturally and economically. This affiliation, while possible to trace back to Ottoman times, gained contemporary importance beginning in the 1960s when the first Turkish “guest workers” began arriving in what was then West Germany. Since that time, the relationship between the two nations has had its ups and downs, but its potency has moved along a steady upward trajectory as familial ties inevitably underscore the growing economic and political ones. While Chancellor Merkel and others within the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) make comments concerning the failure of multicultural integration in Germany and hold an openly negative stance on Turkish EU membership, they continue to depend on the close yet carefully distanced relationship Germany has built with Turkey. Germany remains Turkey’s largest trading partner¹, travel from Germany to Turkey continues to increase dramatically each year², and Turkey’s expanded membership in the European Customs Union denotes the closest economic relationship between the EU and any non-member country³. These positive aspects of the Turkish-German relationship have been bolstered by the increased financial prosperity and stability witnessed in Turkey over the past decade, and help to create the framework for Turkey’s current role as a leader and potentially model nation in the region. The two key issues blocking Turkish accession generally cited by European leaders are the continued Turkish occupation of North Cyprus, and the remaining human rights and democracy issues inside Turkey. This past July all of the top military commanders in Turkey stepped down and were replaced by civilian officials appointed by Prime Minister Erdoğan. Though many on the Left fear this move as a potential consolidation of power by Erdoğan, it was heralded by many in Europe and elsewhere as a move towards full democracy, shifting the Turkish military away from its traditional role as the main check against government power, ready to enforce a coup whenever they see fit. This move brings Turkey one step closer to covering all of its bases in terms of readiness for the EU, whether or not such an action will ever become reality.