“Erdoğan’s ‘New Turkey’: Politics of Emotions and Authoritarian Populism” with Professor Senem Aslan (Camden Conference Community Events)

Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Edoğan and his party, have become increasingly authoritarian in the past couple of decades. What does this mean for Turkey and the world?

The Camden Public Library, as a part of the Camden Conference Community Events Series, presents Professor Senem Aslan for her talk, “Erdoğan’s ‘New Turkey’: Politics of Emotions and Authoritarian Populism.” This event will take place on Tuesday, December 3, at 6:30 PM in-person at the Camden Public Library, in anticipation of the 38th Annual Camden Conference “Democracy Under Threat: A Global Perspective.”

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) have been in power for the last two decades, far longer than most populist leaders. This talk will survey key political, social, and economic changes under Erdoğan’s rule, examining how his regime has undermined Turkey’s fragile democratic institutions and shifted the country toward authoritarianism, characterized by free yet unfair elections. It will discuss how emotional strategies have contributed to Erdoğan’s sustained popularity and longevity, even in the face of significant policy failures.

Senem Aslan is professor of Politics at Bates College. She is the author of Nation-Building in Turkey and Morocco: Governing Kurdish and Berber Dissent published by Cambridge University Press in 2015. She is currently writing a new book on performative-emotional politics in Erdoğan’s Turkey. 

This event is presented in anticipation of the 38th Annual Camden Conference, “Democracy Under Threat: A Global Perspective.” taking place live from the Camden Opera House from February 16-18, 2024.