The Dynamics of Dominance in Erdoğan’s Turkey: The Politics of Attraction

This incisive book offers a compelling analysis of Turkey’s political transformation over the past two decades. It unpacks the puzzle of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s enduring rule, challenging prevailing assumptions about authoritarianism and political longevity. Introducing the concept of the politics of attraction, Hazama situates Turkey within a broader comparative context of emerging democracies. Drawing on rigorous, data-driven research, the book explains how economic performance, social protection, and potent rhetoric combined to sustain Erdoğan’s popularity. It shows that Turkey’s drift toward authoritarianism is better understood as a consequence rather than a cause of the Justice and Development Party’s declining electoral dominance. By illuminating the mechanics of dominant-party systems, the nexus between economic performance and political support, and the pathways from democracy to authoritarianism, this book provides fresh theoretical and empirical insights. A vital resource for scholars and students of political science, international relations, and public policy, it will also be indispensable to policymakers and diplomats seeking to understand and engage with this pivotal geopolitical actor.