Western Democracy and the AKP: A Dialogical Analysis of Turkey's Democratic Crisis

This book challenges the conventional view of Turkey's democratic trajectory by arguing that the AKP, elected in 2002, has consistently advanced a narrative of democracy as the work of an elite working for the National Will. The book analyzes the historical processes that led to the AKP's rise and the gradual deterioration of Western relations since the 2010s, as well as the decline of political rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. It argues that the AKP has adopted an alternative definition of democracy based on the National Will, resistant to the Western essentialist view, and that the root of the crisis lies within democracy itself. The book will appeal to historians, analysts of Turkish politics, political scientists, and those interested in the global contemporary crisis of democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 23 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Upturning the typical view of Turkeys 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 AKPs rise at the beginning of the 21st century, the book then focuses on the AKP since 2002. Though Turkeys democratic transition was originally characterized by Western cooperation, 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 AKPs 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.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032172088