Is democratization, once seen as an irreversible wave progressing around the world, now receding? This question arises in our minds following the events of the last several months.
Turkey, a country where Islam and democracy coexist, was hit by a coup attempt, as a result of which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency and purged many people in the army and civil service. In Thailand, a national referendum adopted the military-drafted constitution that allows junta-appointed senators to take part in choosing the prime minister.
Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate lauded for her pro-democracy activities, recently visited China without mentioning its human rights violations, leaving the impression that she prioritized economic development over human rights.