Post by shabnam khalilyar

The general elections held in Turkey on May 14, 2023, marked a significant political event, particularly in the context of the country's presidential elections conducted through a two-round system. Notably, the prevailing discourse among scholars suggests that Turk-nationalism played a pivotal role in Erdogan's securing power for another five years. This paper undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the strategic utilization of Turkish-Islamic nationalism by the Justice and Development Party (AKP), examining how Erdogan, as a political figure, fortified his authoritarian control. The study scrutinizes the construction of narratives surrounding Ottomanism, the glorification of historical eras within the Ottoman Empire, and the reinforcement of Erdogan's personal authority. The historical roots of Islamic-Turkic nationalism, which extend beyond recent developments, become a focal point of investigation, prompting an exploration of the Ottoman narrative and the evolution of Turkish and Islamic nationalism. Additionally, the paper delves into the nationbuilding efforts of Ataturk, specifically in his attempts to establish a nation-state where individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds would collectively be identified as Turks. It also addresses the consequences of this assimilation, notably the suppression of minority groups such as the Kurds, whose case is thoroughly examined. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the response of Islamist-Turks to the secularization process in Turkey and the subsequent rise of the AKP in 2002. Erdogan's political strategy is scrutinized, focusing on his approach of glorifying the past and legitimizing present actions through references to Ottomanism, thereby perpetuating an authoritarian hold on power. This research seeks to unravel the intricate dynamics of nationalism, historical narratives, and power consolidation in contemporary Turkish politics.