In order for me to write about my support for this book and my endorsement of the ideas it presents, it will first be helpful for me to explain a little about the organization TÜRKONFED, where I am the Chairman of the Board.
TÜRKONFED – The Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation – as its name suggests, supports the interests of businesses, and as such, is committed to supporting values such as an enhanced democratic culture, the rule of law, and freedom of thought and expression, all of which contribute to a prosperous business environment and economy.
It is no accident that we, as an organization, want to champion these values. The link between a flourishing democracy and a healthy economy is a direct one. This is a relationship we were clear to emphasize in our “Middle Income Trap” reports that were published in 2012–2013, in which it was made clear that “democratic institutions are as important as economic institutions in ensuring sustainable growth” and that the “sound working of economic institutions depends on the existence of democratic institutions.”
Evidence demonstrating this can be seen in many other countries: in Western democracies, there is compelling evidence to suggest that typically a strong economy can facilitate a strong democracy and vice versa. This is doubly true in countries where market conditions allow creative, critical and scientific thinking to be nurtured through a country’s education system.
At the moment, it’s clear that Turkey has much to do if it is to redress this balance and catch up with its neighbors. The most important step on this journey is finding the right policies to fix the twin pitfalls of “Middle Income” and “Middle Democracy”.
In this regard, Turkey’s Middle Democracy Issues and How to Solve Them: Judiciary, Accountability and Fair Representation, authored by Atty. Mehmet Gün, truly delivers. This is something recognized by the members of TÜRKONFED, who, on the strength of the solutions proposed in the book, in 2019, published an executive summary of the work in the name of the organization itself, fully adopting it as a policy paper.
This is a book that makes its focus on solutions clear from the outset. Through the course of the work, Mr Gün explores how to establish the dominance of the rule of law; promote transparency and accountability, especially within the executive branch, political parties and other organisations; and how to resolve the problems of democracy by including all stakeholders in the decision-making processes.
Throughout the book, it is apparent that the principle of the rule of law is absolutely fundamental, particularly if the economy and democracy are to work effectively together. The book clearly sets out a roadmap for how these ideals can be progressed and protected.
I am confident that this roadmap can make real strides in terms of embedding a true democratic culture in Turkey. But beyond this, the book has something of real substance to offer in terms of how organizations in all counties may improve their governance systems too. I am glad that the book has been translated into English for this reason.
Above all, TÜRKONFED considers the ability to draw on our full diversity of voices, beliefs and ideas without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion as one of Turkey’s greatest assets. I am delighted that Mr. Gun has given us the means to unlock the full potential of our country, by building on this crucial value.
