The Decline of Democracy in Turkey

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Dr. Cinar's book is an important contribution to Turkish Political Science, not only because it is one of the very few studies on political parties per se, but also because of multiple methodologies and multiple levels of analysis he undertakes for his study. Reading through the book, we see that he makes use history content analysis, empirical findings, survey results as well as statistical data meticulously. His wide knowledge on theory enables him to undertake multiple levels of analysis, including party organization (from leadership to membership structures), ideology, and different form of political participation (from voting behavior to clientelism). Then he finishes with comparative example from three countries. It is this multifacetedness that makes the book valuable and interesting.
Ayse Ayata, Professor of Political Science & Public Administration, Middle East Technical University

This remarkably rich study, theoretically grounded and methodologically rigorous and innovative, is a major contribution to a burgeoning literature on contemporary Turkey. It goes far beyond simple description to provide a compelling analysis of how the AKP has both attracted and retained support. In particular, Cinar excels at showing how the AKP has bonded with voters at the local level, utilizing both its religious appeal as well as its ability, literally, to deliver the goods. This is an important work that engages with numerous literatures in political science and deserves wide readership.
Paul Kubicek, Professor of Political Science, Oakland University and Editor of Turkish Studies

The Decline of Democracy in Turkey is a well-written book which will be of interest to scholars who want to expand their horizons concerning the decisive factors that shape the rise of hegemonic parties. By focusing on the case of [the] Justice and Development Party in Turkey, Cinar enhances our understanding of hegemony bui