ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the democratization of modern Turkey and some of the ways recent reconsolidation of religion and religious institutions with state policies blocked its economic and social development. The ascent to power of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a forceful leader, “who rose from the conservative, religious working class that most resented westernized secularism” (Carlotta, 2019) to become Prime Minister (2003–14) and later President (since 2014), strengthened Turkey’s turn toward Islamic rule.
