"It is not just us who won, Turkey won." That was the triumphant verdict of Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe president of Turkey. after he won a new term as president of TurkeyOfficially the Republic of Turkiye, a country that lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia at the east of the Mediterranean. on Sunday night. 

Thousands celebrated the results on the streets. Thousands of others cowered in their homes, fearful of what the next five years will bring.

Erdogan scored 52% of the vote, beating his only remaining opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, by four points.¹ Kilicdaroglu complained that the result was unfair.

Many experts agree with him. They warn that Erdogan's time in office has weakened Turkish democracy. By the end of his new term, Turkey could be a full-blown dictatorshipA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. .

In many ways, they say, Erdogan is similar to other autocratsA leader who is not bound by constitutional norms or checked by other sources of political authority, like a parliament or the judicial system., like Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life. and Vladimir PutinRussia's ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West..

Like them, he controls much of the media. Like them, he bullies his opponents. Like them, he uses his position to buy political allies.

But others say it is ridiculous to call Erdogan a dictator. Dictators win elections by 80 or 90%, if they hold them at all. Erdogan won a fair and open election.

Still others say calling Erdogan a dictator puts us on the wrong track. He belongs to a different, and perhaps more dangerous, breed of leader.

Alongside Erdogan, this includes Narendra ModiThe prime minister of India. He inspires passionate support from many in his country, but his critics regard him as populist, anti-Muslim and authoritarian. of India and Benjamin NetanyahuThe prime minister of Israel. of Israel.

These leaders do not actually abolish elections and make themselves sole rulers like dictators do. However, they do rig elections in their favour.

Whereas dictators rule by fear, these leaders keep themselves popular by whipping up ethnic and religious divisions. They take control of the courts so that they cannot challenge their agendas.

So if we call Erdogan a dictator, some say, we are underestimating him. He is a new kind of authoritarianEnforcing strict obedience to authority. leader - one that presents a greater threat to democracy.

Yes: Erdogan has given himself unprecedented power. Even when the country is in the middle of an economic crisis, the opposition cannot topple him. He is a dictator in all but name.

No: The Turkish people re-elected Erdogan because they believe in his vision for the country. It is wrong and insulting to suggest they were simply manipulated into voting for him by the media and the state.

Or... Erdogan is not a dictator, but a populist leader who stays in power by whipping up hatred against minorities and foreigners. That could make him more dangerous than a dictator.