Populist and Pro-Violence State Religion: The Diyanet's Construction of Erdoganist Islam in Turkey

This book investigates state-religion relations in Turkey under a populist authoritarian ruling party, analyzing the Friday sermons delivered by the Turkish States Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) to demonstrate how the Diyanet has adopted AKPs increasingly Islamist, authoritarian, civilisationist, militarist, and pro-violence populism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of state-religion relations within a populist authoritarian ruling party in Turkey. Through a detailed examination, it explores how the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) strategically utilizes state-controlled religion to reinforce, defend, legitimize, and propagate its authoritarian populist political agenda within a constitutionally secular nation-state. To illustrate this phenomenon, the authors examine the Friday sermons delivered weekly in every mosque across Turkey by the Turkish States Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). By analyzing a comprehensive dataset spanning from 2010 to 2021, the book unveils how the Diyanet has enthusiastically embraced AKPs increasingly Islamist, authoritarian, civilizationalist, militarist, and pro-violence populism since 2010. Furthermore, it sheds light on the efforts undertaken by the Diyanet to socially engineer beliefs and values in alignment with this ideology. This insightful exploration provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between religion, politics, and power in Turkey, offering a profound understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by the country in its pursuit of governance and social harmony.

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of state-religion relations within a populist authoritarian ruling party in Turkey. Through a detailed examination, it explores how the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) strategically utilizes state-controlled religion to reinforce, defend, legitimize, and propagate its authoritarian populist political agenda within a constitutionally secular nation-state. To illustrate this phenomenon, the authors examine the Friday sermons delivered weekly in every mosque across Turkey by the Turkish States Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). By analyzing a comprehensive dataset spanning from 2010 to 2021, the book unveils how the Diyanet has enthusiastically embraced AKPs increasingly Islamist, authoritarian, civilizationalist, militarist, and pro-violence populism since 2010. Furthermore, it sheds light on the efforts undertaken by the Diyanet to socially engineer beliefs and values in alignment with this ideology. This insightful exploration provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between religion, politics, and power in Turkey, offering a profound understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by the country in its pursuit of governance and social harmony.

Weight: 455g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811667091
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022