The Personalistic System of Government, Erdoganism

Abstract

The liberal reforms, economic development, and moderate foreign policy implemented in the first decade of the 2000s have made Turkey a force to be reckoned with on the world stage, especially in the Middle East. During this period, Turkey was seen as a Muslim country with a quasi-democratic government, a liberal economy, and modern values. However, following the 2013 Gezi Park protests, Erdogan’s political course has undergone significant changes, and his rule has taken on an increasingly authoritarian form. It is more acceptable for us to define the regime as Erdoganism, which is characterized by four main factors: electoral authoritarianism in the electoral system, neopatrimonialism in the economic system, populism as a political strategy, and Islamism as a political ideology. Like its predecessor Kemalism, Erdoganism is also a personalistic ideology.