Yes, but not to the same extent as today. International trade on the scale you describe was not possible during the Cold War and until the 1990s and 2000s, Turkey simply did not have the contacts for diversified trade with several countries. The economy was linked to that of the West. Thanks to the coups, every time the country was on the verge of emancipation political and economics, it was put back on the EU & NATO dependency line with suddenly attacked by debt, interest rates, rating agencies to keep them back in western spheres.
Sorry, but these are not coincidences - they are familiar patterns.
I have great respect for you, but you don't know much about real geopolitics.
If you describe it that there were hardly any differences to the past, why was the currency worth toilet paper in 70,80, 90s in Turkey much more then now.
How can you keep a country small through economic control, dependencies and selective pressure? With these means...
From the 1950s to the 2000s, Turkey was an absolute nothing economically, geopolitically and militarily and under Full Control from USA & EU.
1. 1960 Coup (Adnan Menderes Government)
- Economic Situation Before the Coup:
- In the 1950s, Turkey under Adnan Menderes pursued economic liberalization, investing in infrastructure, agriculture, and industrialization.
- Turkey took loans from the West, but Menderes also sought economic independence and started engaging with the Soviet Union for trade and development projects.
- Inflation and economic problems were rising, leading to tensions.
- Why Did the Coup Happen?
- Menderes clashed with the military and the secular elite.
- His outreach to the Soviet Union and attempts at independent economic policies made him inconvenient for the West.
- The military staged a coup, and Menderes was executed.
2. 1971 Coup ("Memorandum Coup")
- Economic Situation:
- In the 1960s, Turkey followed a state-led economic model focused on import substitution and industrial growth.
- The economy was becoming less dependent on the West, with a growing domestic industrial sector.
- Meanwhile, leftist movements and trade unions gained influence, increasing resistance to Western economic dominance.
- Why Did the Coup Happen?
- The military issued a memorandum forcing Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel to resign.
- The increasing leftist influence in the economy and political instability were perceived as threats.
- After the coup, neoliberal economic policies favoring the West were promoted.
3. 1980 Coup from Kenan Evren
- Economic Situation:
- The 1970s were marked by a severe economic crisis with high inflation, unemployment, and political unrest.
- There were attempts to stabilize the economy through protectionist measures and a more independent industrial policy.
- At the same time, violent clashes between leftist and right-wing groups escalated.
- Why Did the Coup Happen?
- The military intervened, claiming to restore "stability."
- After the coup, neoliberal economic reforms were introduced, benefiting Western interests.
- Turkey was reintegrated into Western economic structures.
4. "Postmodern Coup" of 1997 (Against Erbakan)
- Economic Situation:
- Turkey started diversifying its economic partnerships, reducing dependence on the West.
- Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan built close ties with Islamic countries and attempted to establish an independent economic policy.
- Why Did the Coup Happen?
- The military forced Erbakan to resign.
- His economic and geopolitical shift away from the West was a major concern for secular elites and Western interests.
- After his removal, Turkey returned to a pro-Western economic path.
5. 2016 Coup Attempt (Against Erdoğan)
- Economic Situation Before the Coup Attempt:
- In the 2000s and early 2010s, Turkey experienced strong economic growth under Erdoğan.
- Dependence on the West was gradually reduced, with strengthened trade relations with Russia, China, and the Middle East.
- Turkey began positioning itself more independently geopolitically, and taking a more active role in Europe and the Middle East
- and the US increased, particularly over Turkey’s foreign policy in Syria and Libya.
- Why Did the Coup Attempt Happen?
- Officially, the Gülen movement was blamed for the coup attempt, which previously had close ties to the West.
- Many observers suspect that Western intelligence agencies were at least aware of the coup push, plans or tolerated them.
- Erdoğan accused the West of indirectly supporting the coup, as relations between Turkey and the US/EU were strained at the time.
- After the Coup Attempt:
- Erdoğan significantly consolidated his power and launched mass arrests of military personnel, judges, civil servants, and opposition figures.
- Turkey continued to move toward political and economic independence and deepened its relations with USA, EU and also Russia, China, Africa and the Middle East.
www.turkiyetoday.com
.
