AKP's neo-conservatism and politics of otherness in Europe-Turkey relations

Bibliographic Data

ID7933583
AuthorsKürşad Ertuğrul (0000-0002-1467-0473, Middle East Technical University, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume46
Pages157-186
Publication date2012-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Perspectives on Turkey (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0896-6346 • E-ISSN: 1305-3299
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0896634600001540
OpenAlexW2503508181
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited31

This study uncovers the neo-conservative “style of thought” informing the ideology of the Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (Justice and Development Party, AKP). The AKP's politico-cultural strategy in pursuing Turkey's goal of full membership to the EU is constituted on this ideological ground. Based on critical constructivism, this article argues that the AKP constitutes a domestic-foreign policy nexus of change characterized by a neo-conservative “style of thought” that aims to redefine the identity of Turkey. Along this line of politics, Europe appears as a politico-cultural space, as an ideational structure, enabling and limiting the AKP to act as a political and cultural agent. While the AKP adopts and sublimates the position of the “other” in the ideational structure of Europe, it reconstitutes the identity and interests of Turkey through neo-conservative ideas. Both are mutually reinforcing

Aesthetics · Conservatism · Constructivism (international relations · Economic Justice · Geography · Identity (music · Ideology · International relations · Nexus (standard · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Style (visual arts · European Union Policy and Governance · Gender Studies · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Philosophy · Turkey's Politics and Society