Who governs Turkey? Since Turkey’s initial democratization in 1950, considerable periods of democratic governance have alternated with direct and indirect military intervention. From the last direct military intervention in 1980, the military has intervened in “soft coups,” using indirect influence to shape patterns of government formation and policy outcomes. The 2002 election and subsequent reelection of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), a party with Islamist roots, have led both the military and court system to play a significant role in defining the boundaries of government power. The reality of Islamist sympathizers controlling the Turkish government has led the military to issue unambiguous statements about appropriate governmental boundaries, and has significantly limited the policy options of the democratically-elected government. Likewise, public prosecutors and the constitutional court have legally challenged the ruling party as unconstitutional, setting the stage in 2008 for the potential disbanding of the AKP, a move that would have an enormous effect on the Turkish democratic system. While the formal disbanding of the ruling party was narrowly averted by a close vote in the constitutional court, legal restrictions placed on the party have sent a clear message: the state, not the government, will determine the acceptable boundaries of policy-making. Although Islamically-oriented politicians have “popularized” Turkish democracy by dramatically expanding the representation of traditionally marginalized voters in government, the potential religious implications of the AKP’s victories has also led state officials to constrict Turkish democracy in favor of robust state power. The ruling party's convincing victories have, in an ironic twist, hollowed out the power of elected officials, while strengthening other institutions of state to serve as a counterweight to the government's power.