Monopolizing the Center: The AKP and the Uncertain Path of Turkish Democracy
24 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2014 Last revised: 26 Nov 2014
Date Written: October 26, 2014
Abstract
The loss of reform momentum and rising authoritarianism during the latest phase of the AKP era indicate that Turkish democracy is in crisis. Although Gezi protests emerged as a movement from below to rising authoritarianism of the AKP government, it could not turned into an organized, and sustainable movement to be considered as a real turning point in the Turkish politics. Similarly, external anchors or reputation effects are failing to reverse backsliding of Turkish democracy. The notion of “bounded communities” is a key concept in accounting for the continued dominance of Erdoğan and the AKP in the presence of significant pressures for change. The victory of Erdoğan in August 2014 presidential elections generates both benign and pessimistic scenarios for the future of Turkish democracy.
Keywords: democratic consolidation, illiberal democracy, dominant parties, Turkish Politics, the European Union
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