This volume continues a new series entitled "How They're Governed". Directed by Carlo Fusaro, the series aims to explore the political and institutional culture of different countries in order to understand how they're governed and organised. The entries are written by experts in comparative constitutional law and adopt an interdisciplinary approach. The series is intended for: students and scholars eager to develop their knowledge about a specific country; people who for professional reasons have relationships with foreign countries and need to be familiar with their institutional arrangements; curious travellers; anyone concerned about democracy and its future. Each volume shares the same basic structure: a concise geographical and economic overview; elements of history, especially as regards the development of the constitution; political context since the end of World War II; power distribution (who does what and who decides); acknowledged rights and freedoms and the corresponding safeguards; essential readings and useful websites.

A population of almost 80 million people, extremely strong economic growth, a less than spotless reputation in the safeguarding of human rights, tempered by a longstanding commitment to improving them through a series of reforms: after having experienced a spectacular process of forced modernization, today Turkey is an official although challenged candidate for membership in the European Union, where millions of its emigrants have worked for decades. The Turkish republic is governed by a moderate Islamic party, but is generally disinclined to re-discussing the secular nature of the state; its deep-rooted nationalist tradition hinders acceptance of important minorities (especially the Kurds), yet the country plays a crucial role in the network of Western alliances, especially in NATO, in bridging the gap between Europe and Asia. This book helps the reader understand the reasons why Europeans cannot ignore a country that is not an ex-colony, but rather the descendant of a great, former European power, the Ottoman Empire.

Michele Carducci teaches Constitutional Law and Comparative Constitutionalism at the University of Salento. He has been visiting research scholar at the Cardozo School of Law in New York.

Beatrice Bernardini dArnesano holds a doctorate in Comparative Law and Socio-Political Systems and has carried out research activities in England, Greece, and Turkey.