This thesis will try to shed light upon the interactions of the state with the public in the landscape of a changing state-society relationship and the consolidation of a dominant hegemonic power,...Show moreThis thesis will try to shed light upon the interactions of the state with the public in the landscape of a changing state-society relationship and the consolidation of a dominant hegemonic power, in order to find answers to these contemporary questions and establish an understanding of the contemporary political and social landscape – and their interrelatedness – in the Turkish state. Therefore, this thesis will combine concepts from societal and political studies – namely Public Sphere, Identity Politics and Modes of Governance – to point out their interconnectedness and, perhaps, mutually enforcing nature. Through in-depth analyses of the context, the AKP’s campaign and of electoral behaviour during the 2002, 2007 and 2015 parliamentary and – in the case of 2007 – presidential elections, this essay will cover the question what strategies are being used by Erdogan and the AKP to alter the public sphere and utilize the changed societal sentiments for their own cause. Ultimately, this thesis serves to establish a comprehensive theoretical framework and case study analysis on the contemporary political situation in Turkey in times of elections and to add another facet to the research on the interconnectedness of social transformation and state policies.Show less
By taking the Gülen Movement and Turkish regime as a case study, the aim of the thesis is to expose the developments in the state-society relationship, to seek why is the Turkish regime becoming...Show moreBy taking the Gülen Movement and Turkish regime as a case study, the aim of the thesis is to expose the developments in the state-society relationship, to seek why is the Turkish regime becoming increasingly authoritarian by examining international and domestic threats, and whether the Gülen movement is formally transformed into a scapegoat to give a rationale for government’s actions. An answer to the proposed research question: “What are the motivations of the Turkish government for targeting the Gülen Movement since 2012, and is this a strategy to shift away the focus from rising authoritarianism in Turkey?” is provided by confirming the hypothesis of the government scapegoating the Gülen movement to consolidate power and to shift the focus from its growing authoritarianism.Show less
