Sumário:The "Turkish model" of civil-military relations : The military : a modernizing force from the Ottoman Empire to the modern republic. The 1960 coup and the path towards democracy. 1971-1999 : from democratic progress to democratic impediment. 1999-present : towards a new era of civil-military relations. Lessons and observations : Avoid widespread dispersion of political power. Exploit factionalism within the military. Seek membership in democratic international organizations. Focus the military on external threats.