In ancient times, Turkey was home to the Hittites, Phrygians, and other civilizations. It became part of the Roman Empire, and later the Byzantine Empire. In 1071, the Seljuk Turks' victory at Manzikert marked the beginning of Turkish rule.This marked the beginning of Turkish rule and the eventual rise of the powerful Ottoman Empire.The Ottoman Empire reached its zenith in the 16th century under Suleiman the Magnificent, encompassing vast territories in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was renowned for its military prowess, rich culture, and religious tolerance. However, by the 19th century, internal strife and external pressures led to its gradual decline. This led to the Young Turk Revolution in 1908 and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His reforms modernized the country and separated religion from state affairs. Turkey remained neutral during most of World War II and joined NATO in 1952.
Turkey's political system is a presidential representative democracy. It operates under a multi-party system, with the president as the head of state and the head of government. The Turkish Grand National Assembly is the legislative body, responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the executive branch.
Turkey's economic history has witnessed significant transformation. After becoming a republic in 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk implemented modernization policies, fostering industrialization. In the latter half of the 20th century, Turkey focused on import-substitution and export-oriented industrialization, experiencing steady growth. In the 1980s, liberalization and privatization policies were introduced, leading to a more market-oriented economy. Since the 2000s, Turkey enjoyed robust growth, driven by construction, services, and manufacturing sectors.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been the President of Turkey since 2014, following his tenure as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014. His presidency has been marked by significant political and economic developments. In the initial period of his leadership, Erdoğan's government implemented pro-business reforms, encouraged foreign investment, and focused on infrastructure development to boost economic growth. These policies were in line with conventional economic principles and were credited with driving Turkey's remarkable economic expansion. Under his leadership, the Turkish economy experienced sustained expansion. However, in more recent years, Erdoğan's economic approach has taken a turn towards unorthodox measures. Notably, he has expressed skepticism about the role of high-interest rates in controlling inflation, advocating for lower interest rates despite rising inflationary pressures. This stance contradicted traditional monetary policy and has been a subject of debate. As of now, Turkey remains a dynamic emerging market with a diverse economy, though it grapples with fluctuating economic conditions and structural reforms.