The Department of Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies of the University of Cyprus would like to invite you to the Online Conference: Debating Regime Transformation in Turkey.
Saturday, November 6th 2021
Academic research and debates around authoritarianism and more specifically the “authoritarian turn” in Turkey have been flourishing especially since 2013. This theoretical framework gained a new momentum during and after the transition of Turkey from a parliamentary democracy to the presidential system. In the broader framework of these discussions the recent trajectory of Turkish politics under the government of the AKP is positioned in the global web of “democratic backsliding” and while there is no agreement on the exact form of the new political regime in Turkey, there is an emergent consensus that AKP’s recent years have been defined by a specific authoritarian shift.
Instead of searching for explicit moments of “authoritarian turn and shift”, this conference aims to contribute to the current academic research regarding regime transformation in Turkey through the study and analysis of the long-term political, economic, social, and cultural dynamics that resulted in the recent transition to the presidential system. At the same time, one of the main aspects of this international conference is to examine old and new forms of resistance as well as possibilities for democratic political and right-seeking activities, having in mind that Turkey has a long tradition of social movements. This conference aims to bring together scholars working on contemporary Turkey. Through this effort we hope to explore the new political and social dynamics in the country connecting them to the historical background as well as to the global conjuncture.
Zoom Registration: https://ucy.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJModOmtqT8jE91q1hvpnXmp_HQXwV4uNjVe
Meeting ID: 975 3057 4999
Program:
GREETINGS
10:00 – 10:15: Assoc. Prof. Michalis Michael, Chairman, Department of Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cyprus
Session 1
Debating Authoritarianism
Chair: Nikos Moudouros
10:15 – 10:35: Understanding the Current Authoritarian Turn in Turkey from a Poulantzasian Perspective
Prof. Şebnem Oğuz, Başkent University, Turkey
10:35 – 10:55: Authoritarian Consolidation Dynamics in Turkey
Dr. Ümit Akçay, Berlin School of Economics and Law
10:55 – 11:15: AKP’s ‘Embedded Neoliberalism’ and Rise of Authoritarian Populism in Turkey
Dr. Yonca Özdemir, Cyprus
11:15 – 11:45: Discussion
11:45 – 12:00: Break
Session 2
Reactions and Opposition(s) to Authoritarianism
Chair: Yonca Özdemir
12:00 – 12:20: Reversing the Tide of Autocratization? Civic Opposition and Democratic Resilience in an Electoral Autocracy
Dr. Bilge Yabancı, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy
12:20 – 12:40: Gender-based Violence, Activist Practices and Politics: Movement against Gender-based Violence and “Politics from Below” in Today’s Turkey
Dr. Efi Kanner, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
12:40 – 13:00: Neoliberal Populism and New Patriarchy in Turkey.
Dr. Umut Bozkurt, Cyprus
13:00 – 13:30: Discussion
13:30 – 14:10: Break
Session 3
Media and Society
Chair: Efi Kanner
14:10 – 14:30: The Making of TRT Cinematic Universe: State Media and Political Communication in Turkey
Dr. Ioannis N. Grigoriadis, Bilkent University, Turkey
14:30 – 14:50: Constructing New Turkey’s Desired Worker. Authoritarianism and the Denial of Social Class
Nikos Moudouros, University of Cyprus
14:50 – 15:20: Discussion – Closure
Zoom Registration: https://ucy.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJModOmtqT8jE91q1hvpnXmp_HQXwV4uNjVe
Meeting ID: 975 3057 4999
ΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΟΤΕΡΑ 