ABSTRACT
A stable electoral base is a fundamental precondition of the AKP’s autonomy as an organization in Panebianco’s (1988) terms (see Chapter 2). Given the party’s relative isolation from the dominant secular traditions characteristic of Turkey’s political elite, its only real means to increase its bargaining position in the exchange relationships with other veto players in the political system (including powerful veto players such as the presidency, the Constitutional Court, and the military) is its sheer electoral strength. Through obtaining electoral gains the party can aim to create a space for stronger autonomy against other political actors and seek to dominate its environment. Obviously, referring back to the model in Chapter 2, we must recognize that the party cannot achieve a peak point along with intraparty systemness due to the dilemma explained earlier. Therefore, the AKP seeks an equilibrium by trying to maximize votes – as an electoral professional party – and aims to appeal to different sectors of Turkish society. This was largely achieved through tight leadership control over the party base and factions that may be more partisan in nature and may take an opposite stance against the maximization-of-votes strategy in the electoral arena.
