The second constitutional era in the context of multi-party system in Türkiye

Abstract

There is no consensus among authors as to when the multi-party system started in Türkiye. While some authors state that the multi-party system in Türkiye started in the Second Constitutional Era, many authors generally accept that the multi-party system in Türkiye started after the Second World War. The second position has become so common that it has come to affect authors’ perceptions; whenever the transition to multi-party system in Türkiye is mentioned, the process that started in 1945 first comes to mind. This study argues that the multi-party system in Türkiye started in the Second Constitutional Era, a view that is contrary to which is widely known and accepted. In this context, the current study aims to reveal this multi-party system by examining various aspects such as the related literature, historical background, and competition of the political parties in the multi-party elections to gain power. The study also aims to challenge conventional wisdom in the literature and change common opinion.