More than six months on, the “Dec. 17 corruption operation” in Turkey remains a central issue on the country’s political agenda. Some say the investigation was a “coup attempt” to topple an elected government, an argument that, from their point of view, precludes any discussion on the issue. Since it was a “coup attempt,” the argument goes, all democrats are supposed to denounce the probe and stand by the government. Anyone who fails to engage in this mission is seen as “faltering,” if not “siding with the putschists.”

Others, on the other hand, say the “coup” narrative is a smokescreen to cover up corruption. They hardly engage in any discussion on the likely political motives of the prosecutors and the police, playing down this aspect of the issue.

I, for my part, believe that one should disregard both approaches and analyze cool-headedly what the Dec. 17 operation really was. This article is an effort in that direction.

Let’s first see what a “coup” actually means. The definition provided by political literature is more or less obvious: A coup is the abrogation of constitutional order with the aim of toppling a government. Like when the army or a junta within the army moves tanks into the streets, shuts down parliament, rounds up politicians and declares military rule. Just as it happened on May 27, 1961, and Sept. 12, 1980, in Turkey.