Clientelism, partisanship, and ideology

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the role of clientelism in the Justice and Development Party's (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi) electoral dominance in Turkish politics. Based on intensive fieldwork in Istanbul's one of the poorest and conservative districts of Bağcılar, it argues that the expansion of clientelist networks under the Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi government has twofold ramifications, which in turn have reproduced the cycle of dominance. First, it strengthened clients’ partisan identification. Second, it changed clients’ ideology such that they became less resistant to or even supportive of neoliberal reforms that extensively undermined their well-being.

Retracted Article: A Spiritual View to the Huge Earthquake in Türkiye

“…In the 1800s before Christ, the earthquake, which is stated in the Quran 3 4 as punishment for the people of Lut (Lot) 5 for their denial and immorality, probably took place in the Dead Sea Rift region. 6 Maghreb (Northwest African region), Egypt, Antakya (Antioch), Damascus (Dimaşk), Mosul, Homs (Hims), and whole Al-Jazira region were affected by the earthquake that occurred on November 24, 847 with an estimated magnitude of 7.0. In that earthquake, 20,000 people in Antakya and 50,000 people in Mosul died.…”

“…In that earthquake, 20,000 people in Antakya and 50,000 people in Mosul died. 6 Lastly, on February 6, 2023 at 04:17 a.m. Türkiye time, a massive earthquake struck Southern Türkiye and Syria with a magnitude of Mw 7.7. An unusually strong Mw 7.6 aftershock as well as hundreds of smaller aftershocks occurred at 01:24 p.m. Türkiye time after the mainshock.…”

“…It is reported in the hadiths that regions such as Najd, Iraq, and Egypt are prone to earthquakes, earthquakes experienced by some tribes, the earthquake of doomsday, dua and worships to be made during and after the earthquake, earthquakes suffered by the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and some of his companions, earthquakes are Divine warnings for people to improve their conditions, the increase of earthquakes is one of the portents of doomsday and it is necessary to seek refuge in Allah from the disaster of an earthquake. 6 The ninety ninth Surah including eight Ayats of the Quran is the Surah Al-Zalzalah (the earthquake). In the Surah, after the severe earthquake that will develop during the Doomsday, the troubles and terrifying situations that will be experienced on the Day of Judgment are described.…”

“…Earthquakes are likened to the apocalypse due to the information given in the Quran about the apocalypse. 6 The term of “Al-Qariah” in the Surah Al-Qariah refers to the Day of Judgment. In this Surah, some depictions of the apocalypse are mentioned, and warnings are given that raise awareness of the responsibility of the hereafter: The (Day) of Clamor: What is the (Day) of Clamor?…”