1980ler

1980ler, often written in Turkish as 1980'ler, designates the decade spanning 1980 to 1989. In Turkish usage the term captures both global developments of the era and country-specific changes within Turkey. The decade is associated with political upheaval, economic liberalization, technological innovation, and cultural transformation that shaped subsequent decades.

In Turkey, 1980 began with a military coup on September 12, followed by a period of military rule and a new constitutional framework established with the 1982 constitution. Political parties were dissolved and civil liberties restricted, events that contributed to a shift toward centralized governance. Economic policy moved toward liberalization and export-led growth under the subsequent government, contributing to modernization and industrial expansion, but also social and regional tensions that persisted into the 1990s.

Globally, the 1980s were defined by the late Cold War period, the rise of neoliberal economic policies in many countries, and major events such as the Iran-Iraq War, the Reagan and Thatcher administrations, and the gradual opening of Eastern Europe leading to the fall of communism at the decade's end. Technological advances included the spread of personal computers, video games, and the mass media expansion driven by MTV and other channels. Chernobyl in 1986 highlighted the geopolitical risks of the era, and the decade saw the growth of new cultural movements in music, film, and fashion, including electronic and synth sounds, distinctive fashion silhouettes, and globalized media influence.

The 1980ler set the stage for transitions in governance, economy, and culture that shaped the 1990s and beyond.