Kemalism and authoritarianism in the decisions of constitutional court: An analytical examination

The purpose of this study is to explain the role of the Kemalism in Turkish constitutionalist movements. We examine the reflections of Kemalist ideology on Turkish constitution in the framework of political and historical developments. This thesis also discusses how the principles of Kemalism are reflected in the Constitutional Court and in terms of which principles, the constitutional court could be described as "Kemalist". The course of the establishment of the constitution judiciary in Turkey is explained with the idea of the protection of minorities in parliament. This process is explained with reference to aspects of centre-periphery relationship and hegemonic preservation theories which don't meet this course. The decisions of the Constitutional Court are also evaluated in terms of these theories and within the framework of the phenomenon of "Kemalist authoritarianism".