Is Turkey Experiencing a New Nationalism?

Source:Center for American Progress Date:16Feb2018

An in-depth survey of Turkish attitudes towards national identity and national policy debates, a much needed addition to our analysis arsenal. A must read.

This mix of seemingly contradictory beliefs among Turks—simultaneously suspicious and inward-looking and open and pro-democratic—combined with sharp divisions over President Erdoğan, suggest that Turkish politics will remain unsettled and increasingly agitated in the years to come. Competing visions of Turkish nationalism may produce highly contentious and combative politics until new norms and leadership receive widespread public support. Whichever leader or party most successfully embodies and articulates this new nationalist spirit that combines Islam with self-determination and democracy could be well-positioned for success going forward.