Memory, Patriarchy and Economy in Turkey : Narratives of Political Power

This book brings a dynamic approach to Turkish politics by showing how political struggles operate via narratives and how ideas, institutions and narratives interact.

Through the narrative analysis of texts, ranging from political speeches to museum documents as well as graffiti and posters from protests, this book tries to shed light on contemporary Turkish politics as well as offering a glance into how narratives operate in the political realm. Following the journey of political narratives and counternarratives in the Turkish context facilitates the mapping of the cultural terrain while being attentive to power, resistance and dynamism. By analyzing narratives of collective memory, patriarchy and economic development, all of which are deeply embedded culturally, it traces the ways in which narratives shape politics. The chapters deal with issues such as the role historical narratives play in hegemonic power struggles among political parties, the narrative resources upon which populist regimes draw, how economic development narratives affect prospects of and threats against democratic practices and institutions, and how protesters subvert dominant notions of citizenship through counternarratives.