The State, Politics, and the Military in Turkey

Eric Nordlinger has suggested a typology encompassing three models or patterns of political involvement of the military. In the first of these, the military act as moderators. Typically in this model, they do not overtly seize the reins of government but rather exercise veto from behind the scenes. Only if the civilian authorities fail comply with the desires of the military do they execute a displacement coup designed bring a more malleable civilian group power. The goals of military groups which fit this model are correspondingly limited in scope, namely to preserve the status quo, maintaining the balance (or imbalance) of power among contending groups, enforcing the political and constitutional ground rules, staving off practically any kind of important change in the distribution of economic rewards, and ensuring political order and governmental stability.' A second type of military regime is referred as a guardian regime. Military guardians are essentially similar moderators except that they feel it necessary displace the civilian governors, that is, overtly assume control of government. Their goals, however, are as conservative as those of the moderators, including: