Democratization in Turkey, Authoritarianism in Iran

1. Democratization in Turkey, Authoritarianism in Iran • Turkey • Death of Ataturk in 1938; power taken over by his right-hand man, Ismet Inonu • Continued modernization and industrialization program • Inonu opened the system up to multiple parties in 1946—leading a new party to take power in 1950, the Democratic Party (in contrast to the Republicans) • The military stepped in with a coup d’etat in 1960 and then stepped out of power • Iran under the Shah • Muhammad Reza Shah strongly favored the military; he faced organized opposition from communists and ulema • Had to deal with excessive foreign domination of Iranian interests, particularly the British and Americans • Emergence of a strong nationalist, Mohammed Mosaddiq, in the 1950s; the Iranian military along with the CIA captured Mosaddiq and deposed him • The shah became increasingly dictatorial after 1953 and terrorized its opponents under the new internal security police (SAVAK) • Westernization program in the White Revolution (1963--)

2. Authoritarianism in Syria and Iraq • Syria • Hafez al-Asad an Alawite in the military, linked to the Ba’ath party • Involved with fellow officers in a joint coup in 1963, that brings the Ba’ath to power • Put Alawites in all the positions of power that required real trust • Extensive socialization into Ba’ath party ideology, supported by large network of security services • Brutal crackdown on internal opposition, especially in Hama 1982 by the Islamic Front • Iraq • Turning point was the coup of 1968, in which Saddam Hussein participated as a member of the Ba’ath party • Active drive to eliminate potential rivals; installation of Tikritis in power • Built a one-party state; no real distinction between party and state • Hussein became President of Iraq in 1979 and purged potential rivals