Super turbo state Turkey ...
A year ago the German magazine Stern described Turkey as “Turbo-Staat Türkei” (Turbo State Turkey), a reflection of the country’s vibrant economy, the Bosporus glittering with wealth, a rising regional power and every other euphemism for the “Turkish miracle.” In response, and with all due respect for the world-renowned German expertise in the motor industry, I’m inclined to remind readers of a few things: 1. According to the UNDP’s Human Development Report, Turkey stood at a not-so-turbo rank of 92 out of 187 countries. 2. UNDP’s gender inequality index put Turkey 77 out of 146 countries. 3. The World Economic Forum’s 2011 Report put Turkey 122 out of 134 countries in women’s access to education, economic participation and political empowerment. 4. Turkey ranked 138th in the World Press Freedom Index. 5. According to the U.N.’s Economic Freedom Index, Turkey was the world’s 67th freest economy. 6. According to Transparenc