Mateo Madridejos on the democratisation of Turkey

Referring to the work of Islam specialist Bernard Lewis, the Spanish historian and journalist Mateo Madridejos wonders what path Turkey should take towards democracy. "His vision [that of Bernard Lewis] of a democratised Muslim world freed from the medieval shackles that were once again brandished by neo-conservative Americans on their grievous crusade in Iraq, is back in the heart of debate with the current presidential election [in Turkey]. ... Defenders of Dr. Lewis's thesis believe that secularism and westernisation are ineluctable conditions of democracy, while those who are defending an agreement with the Islamist Erdogan [Turkish Prime Minister] are asking a good question that has yet to find an answer: instead of being an obstacle for democracy, could moderate Islam not be a way of reaching it ?"

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