Transformation of civil society in Turkey: A study on post-1980

The aim of this study is to examine the historical development of the concept of civil society, analyze its transformation in Turkey after 1980, and shed light on the sociological and political importance of the concept. In this study, which was prepared with the qualitative research method, the existing literature was scanned and information obtained from various sources, legal regulations, national and international reports were used. After presenting a conceptual, theoretical and historical framework regarding civil society, the effects of neo-liberalism and globalization on civil society were included. Civil society in Turkey was addressed as before and after 1980. After providing information on the situation of civil society during the Ottoman Period and the period from the declaration of the Republic to 1980, the situation after 1980 was examined. Until the 1980s, the democratic process in Turkey was frequently interrupted by military interventions, and this situation constituted a significant obstacle to civil society. Although there were intervention attempts again with the development of civil society after the 1980s, their intensity was lower compared to previous periods due to the impact of civil society. In addition, the importance of civil society in recent social, political and extraordinary events in Turkey was emphasized. For this reason, it has become necessary to remove the obstacles to the development of civil society.