Analysis of Social Policy Commitments in the Election Manifestos of the Justice and Development Party: 2002 – 2015

Abstract

The opinion that social policy implementation affects voter behavior has caused political parties to include social policy commitments in their election manifestos. Given the perception that social policy has an impact on voting behavior as well as economic and political anticipation, social policy is included in election commitments. In this study, the social policy commitments of the Justice and Development Party, which has been in the lead of general elections held during the period 2002-2015, have been evaluated using content analysis. The research sample includes only social policy commitments in the election manifesto. The aim of this study is to investigate the social policy commitment of the Justice and Development Party and to explain the alteration of the social policy perceptive and the implementation of social protection. In this way, the study attempts to explain the social policy approach of the party.