Understanding the 'New Turkey' through Max Weber's category of Caesarism

Abstract

This article aims to expand upon our understanding of the historical dynamics of Weber's central but relatively underexplored category of Caesarism by showcasing its operation within contemporary Turkish politics. We illustrate how the shift from a parliamentarian to a presidential system, bestowing Turkish premier Erdoğan with unrestrained executive powers, has manifested a type of 'pure', unrestrained Caesarism that Weber associated with and criticized in Otto von Bismarck. Yet, reflecting Weber's optimism that strong parliamentarism could remedy the threats of authoritarianism, we also argue that it is possible to reverse today's negative politics in Turkey towards re-democratization. Deploying the Weberian concept of Caesarism and other related notions drawn from Weber's thought, such as parliamentarism, charisma, and plebiscitary democracy and politics, demonstrates the relevance of this category today, helps us better understand the contemporary Turkish climate, and offers pathways for its future political revitalization.