Upturning the typical view of Turkey’s democratic trajectory as a product of authoritarian assault or unfortunate circumstances, this book argues that the AKP, first elected in 2002, has consistently advanced a narrative of democracy as the work of an elite working for the 'National Will'.
Beginning with an analysis of the historical processes that led to the AKP’s rise at the beginning of the 21st century, the book then focuses on the AKP since 2002. Though Turkey’s democratic transition was originally characterised by Western co-operation, the author outlines the gradual deterioration of these relations since the 2010s, as well as the decline of political rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law. However, bringing in theoretical perspectives of democracy, it is argued that the AKP has adopted an alternative definition based on the 'National Will' throughout its rule, resistant to the Western essentialist view. As such, the AKP’s story highlights that the root of this crisis lies within democracy itself.
The book will appeal to historians and analysts of Turkish politics, as well as to political scientists interested in theories of democracy. Moreover, for those interested in the global contemporary crisis of democracy, the book provides an important case-study.
Introduction: The AKP’s New Turkey as a Conceptual and Theoretical Problem 1. Turkish Democracy, the Kemalist Army and the Quest for Recognition Until 1980 2. The Rise and Transformation of Islamism in Turkey, 1970-2002 3. The AKP on the Defensive: Crafting a Democratic Identity out of an Islamist Identity, 2002-2008 4. The AKP’s Identity in Limbo, 2008-2013 5. The Tyranny of the National Will and the West: Authoritarianization as Securitization 6. Conclusions; or, Three Lessons from the AKP's Story
"Mehmet Celil Çelebi is an Assistant Professor in the Political Science and International Relations Department at Abdullah Gül University. His work focuses on Turkish politics and democracy. His latest publication was titled ""Mincing Words: The Three Layers of the AKP’s Narrative on Kurdish Politics"" for the journal Nationalism & Ethnic Politics (2020)."
