Comparison of the State and Nation-Building Processes in Germany and Turkey

The similarities between Germany and Turkey/Ottoman Empire in the state development are astonishingly more than the differences: Both are late empires. While the centralization of political power progressed continuously in the West European states after the 17th Century, an opposite development took place in both empires; in the direction of weakening and disintegration of the centers. Territorial losses and disintegration on the peripheries characterize the both empires. The unification and the creation of a sovereign, national state could be accomplished under the leadership of the armies and by their military success both in Germany and in Turkey. The bourgeoisie of both countries were too weak to play a leading role. Therefore, in both empires all key positions were occupied by the military, which increased its domination and influence in the society and politics. One of the main differences between Turkey and Germany lies in their democratization processes