Author Description
Today's Turkey little resembles that of recent decades. Newfound economic prosperity has had many unexpected social and political repercussions, most notably the rise of the AKP party and President Erdogan. Despite unprecedented electoral popularity, the conduct of the AKP has faced growing criticism: Turkey has yet to solve its Kurdish question; its foreign policy is increasingly fraught as it balances relations with Iran, Israel, Russia and the EU; and widespread protests gripped the country in 2013, as did an unsuccessful coup in 2016.The government is now perceived by many to be corrupt, unaccountable, intimidating of the press and intolerant of political alternatives. Has this once promising democracy descended into a tyranny of the majority led by a charismatic leader? Is Turkey more polarised now than at any point in its recent history?These are among the questions at the heart of The New Turkey and Its Discontents, which traces Turkey's evolution under Erdogan's leadership, and assesses the likely consequences at home and abroad.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates whether Turkey has transitioned from a promising democracy into a state defined by the tyranny of the majority under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The authors, Emre Caliskan and Simon Waldman, utilize their expertise in Turkish politics and foreign policy to analyze the socio-political shifts occurring since the rise of the AKP. They present a framework that evaluates the erosion of democratic norms, the intensification of internal polarization, and the complexities of Turkey's shifting geopolitical alliances.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the AKP party's rise and consolidation of power.
- Examination of the Kurdish question and its impact on domestic stability.
- Assessment of foreign policy challenges involving Iran, Israel, Russia, and the EU.
- Review of significant events including the 2013 protests and the 2016 coup attempt.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the political evolution under Erdogan rather than a comprehensive history of the Turkish Republic.
- It does not provide an exhaustive economic forecast for the region.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and political analysts frequently cite this work as a clear-eyed assessment of Turkey's democratic backsliding during the early 21st century. Readers often note the authors' ability to synthesize complex geopolitical tensions into a coherent narrative for both academic and general audiences.
Page Count:
339
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190694785
ISBN-13:
9780190694784
History
Middle Eastern
Government
Politics & Government
International relations