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Book Cover
E-book
Author Çelebi, Mehmet Celil

Title Western Democracy and the AKP A Dialogical Analysis of Turkey's Democratic Crisis
Published Milton : Taylor & Francis Group, 2022

Copies

Description 1 online resource (227 p.)
Series Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Politics Ser
Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Politics Ser
Contents Cover -- Half Title -- Endorsements -- Series Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgments -- 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, 2008-13 -- 5. The Tyranny of the National Will and the West: Authoritarianization as Securitization
Conclusion: Three Lessons from the AKP's Story -- Index
Summary "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"-- Provided by publisher
Notes Description based upon print version of record
Subject AK Parti (Turkey)
Political parties -- Turkey
Democracy -- Turkey
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781000818499
1000818497