From Discourse to Action: An Analysis on Securitization Policies in Turkey

Abstract

AbstractThis article analyzes the results of two general elections in Turkey, June and November 2015, in light of the securitization policies applied by theAKPgovernment. The aim is to shed light on the reasons forAKP’s recovery between the two elections, despite ongoing economic, social, and political problems. The article explainsAKP’s grip on a strong support base through three interdependent reasons—the specter of the 1980 military coup, identity-based voting preferences, and successfully implemented securitization policies of theAKP. The first two reasons best explain the election successes of theAKPfrom 2002 to 2013, among other factors. In addition, these two factors constitute the political context in which theAKPmanaged to build an authoritarian regime.AKP’s implementation of securitization policies, on the other hand, is more adequate in explaining post-2013 policies and electoral successes, especially its recovery from June to November 2015. In addition, this article also aims to provide insights, based on the Turkish case, on how authoritarian governments manage to gather and secure public support, despite economic, social, and political turmoil and when and how securitization policies might fail and succeed.