Introduction: Putting the AKP-led state transformation in its neoliberal historical context

Understanding Turkey’s Political Transformation: Mechanisms, Actors, and Perceptions

“…Thus far, scholars of contemporary Turkey have extensively explored the timing of the authoritarian shift 1 and certain characteristics of authoritarianism, e.g. "illiberal" (Öktem, Akkoyunlu 2016) "competitive" (Esen, Gümüşçü 2016), "populist" (Sözen 2019), "Muslim" (Yenigün 2021), and "neoliberal" (Bedirhanoğlu et al 2020). There is an overwhelming consensus in the literature that the country's ruling elites use the ballot box as one of the, if not the most, essential instruments for holding onto power.…”