ABSTRACT

The volume sheds light on the backsliding process of Turkish democratization from the early 2010's until 2018. In addition to historical contextualization, the book analyzes data collected through a nationally representative survey of Turkish voters during the 2018 elections and data available by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) in a pre-and post-election panel design.

A more centralized administration of elections that are directly under the control of the central government brought reliability of election results as well as the free and fair nature of the elections in question. Mobilization efforts of the parties, as well as the varying degree of influence of the economy, appear to have simultaneously influential over the vote choices. Yet another factor of potency in shaping the vote choices was the longer-term effects of ideology, conservative values, and hence the party identification.

Through the 2018 elections in Turkey, the book provides an excellent glimpse into the dynamics of Turkish politics, society and culture. Targeting students and scholars of Middle Eastern and North African politics, the book is a key resource for any readers interested in the political developments of Turkey, comparative politics, and voting behavior.

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|13 pages

A new national legislative election system?

An assessment of the breakdown of consensus on the administration of elections

chapter 3|26 pages

Politics as (un)usual?

An overview of the June 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey

chapter 4|19 pages

The story of electoral alliances

chapter 6|19 pages

Consequences of popular perceptions of electoral integrity

The experience of Turkey, 2007–2018

chapter 8|24 pages

Kulturkampf and voting behavior in Turkey

A key to Turkish party politics?

chapter 12|6 pages

Conclusion

Turkish 2018 general elections: Competitive but illiberal