ABSTRACT

The studies of religious party moderation often neglect the role of religious party supporters and treat them as a homogenous block of ideological voters. Ideological changes occur when the context is conducive that is, the religious party supporters seem receptive, the political payoffs are significant, and religious justification is not tenuous. The ideological changes that are not endorsed by the party supporters cannot be sustained. Successful changes confirm the importance of the composition of the party supporters, as well as the presence of a critical mass who will be open to the party elite's new messages. A review of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) political messages show that the party built its pro-EU position on Erbakan's discourse. Erbakan's parliamentary speech in 1980 reflected the position of the Erbakan-led National View Party and the early position of JDP leader Erdogan, which contended that the Islamic world needs Turkish leadership to take advantage of its global position and awakening.