Democracy, as one of the most controversial yet indispensable concepts in modern political thought, has taken shape within the unique historical conditions of each society. The development of democracy in Turkish political life reflects a unique trajectory in which theoretical debates are intertwined with historical and institutional experiences. This work, entitled ‘The Development of Democracy in Turkish Political Life: Theory and Processes,’ aims to address this uniqueness from a multidimensional perspective.

The book focuses on the transformation that saw the adoption of a republican regime and the concept of popular sovereignty in place of the monarchy and its understanding of sovereignty. It approaches democracy not merely as a normative ideal or constitutional arrangement, but as a concept encompassing its intellectual foundations, institutional structures, and political practices. Within this framework, the interaction between the fundamental approaches of democratic theory and the historical experiences of Turkish political life is examined; the transformations undergone by fundamental concepts such as representation, participation, legitimacy, and political authority during the period from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic are analysed.

The work evaluates critical turning points in Turkey's transition to a multi-party system dominated by a culture of compromise, military interventions, constitutional amendments, political parties and elections, and periodic education policies, through the lens of the continuity and discontinuity points in the democratisation process. In this respect, the study reveals the non-linear development of Turkish democracy, while also highlighting the tensions between structural problems and social demands. Democracy is not treated here as a static goal, but as a political process that is constantly negotiated and reproduced.

The Development of Democracy in Turkish Political Life: Theory and Processes brings together theoretical background and historical analysis to offer a comprehensive assessment at both conceptual and empirical levels. In this respect, the work aims to serve as an important reference source for academics working in the fields of political science, public administration and history, policymakers, postgraduate students and readers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the debates on democracy in Turkey.