Turkey faces the democracy test

Commentary feature. If a society is to have genuine equality it needs rules and institutions, writes Sinan Ulgen.

Related hyperlins preview the referendum on constitutionmal reform in Turkey, 12 September 2010. Turkish voters go to the polls to decide on a reform package that has split the population. Intended to boost democracy, opponents fear the reforms could give the government more power and endanger Turkey's secularism.

ESO: Background information: Erdogan seeks Kurdish support for reforms http://www.europeansources.info/record/erdogan-seeks-kurdish-support-for-reforms/

France24, 11.9.10: Referendum voters prepare to decide on constitutional changes http://www.france24.com/en/20100911-voters-turkey-decide-changes-referendum-europe-islam-constitution-democratic

EUObserver, 10.9.10: Turks head to polls for constitutionl reform vote http://euobserver.com/9/30772

SETA: Policy Brief, August 2010: Constitutional Referendum in Turkey http://setadc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=256:constitutional-referendum-in-turkey&catid=48:policy-briefs&Itemid=91

Foreignpolicy.com: The MidEast Channel, 9 September 2010: The battle over constitutional reform in Turkey http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/09/prospects_of_constitutional_reform_in_turkey

Deutsche Welle, 12.9.10: Turkey votes for constitutional reform http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5994895,00.html

BBC News, 11.9.10: Why Turkey's constitutional referendum matters http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11263302

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