Memory, Patriarchy and Economy in Turkey

Traces how narratives of collective memory, economic development and patriarchy influence politics

• Provides a multifaceted look at contemporary Turkish politics through the analysis of political narratives
• Brings a dynamic approach to the study of political culture via narrative analysis paying attention to the interaction between dominant and counternarratives in political struggles
• Combines rich theoretical discussion with textual analysis and ethnographical data
• Discusses populism in comparative perspective in relation to political narratives of history, memory and patriarchy
• Explores the ramification of development narratives on the prospects of democracy
• Examines the collective memory-political identity nexus through competing historical narratives
• Brings together feminist theories and theories of the state for a well-rounded understanding of issues of legitimacy and resistance in Turkish politics
• Discusses the implications of right-wing populist narratives and the possibilities of countering them with pressing examples across the globe

This book brings a dynamic approach to Turkish politics by showing how political struggles operate via narratives and how ideas, institutions and narratives interact. By analysing narratives of collective memory, patriarchy and economic development, it shows the ways in which narratives shape politics in both intended and unintended ways. Meral Uğur-Çınar combines rich theoretical discussion with textual and ethnographic data, looking at how narratives serve the reproduction of consent as well as the mobilisation of resistance.Memory, Patriarchy and Economy in Turkey examines how narratives are utilised for the continuation of institutional structures as well as at critical junctures of institutional change and at the gradual erosion of institutions. Through the narrative analysis of texts, ranging from political speeches to museum documents as well as graffiti and posters from protests, the author sheds light on contemporary Turkish politics as well as offering a glance into how narratives operate in the political realm. Through this careful analysis, the book helps make sense of current political discussions in Turkey and elsewhere, particularly on issues such as democratic backsliding, institutional erosion, populism, polarisation and social movements.