Legitimizing Illiberalism: The Construction of Civilizational Identity by the Justice and Development Party in Türkiye

Since its establishment, Türkiye has equated modernization with Westernization. However, following the second AKP victory in the June 2007 parliamentary elections, relations with the West began to deteriorate. In 2016, the illiberal turn taken by the government on the grounds that Türkiye was facing an existential threat after the failed coup attempt led to a serious rupture with Europe. The Turkish government began to counter criticism from Western actors by referring to historical antagonistic relations between the West and the East, signifying a firm estrangement from Western civilization. It highlighted Türkiye’s differences from the West by making frequent references to the glorious past of the country, the collective memory of the Ottoman legacy, religious identity, and strong ties with the Islamic civilization. This study investigates AKP’s increased emphasis on civilizational identity by utilizing a two‐step methodological approach that combines textual analysis and critical discourse analysis applied to President Erdoğan’s speeches. The time frame of the research covers the period between the June 2016 and May 2023 general elections. The study argues that AKP instrumentalizes civilizational discourse in its quest for legitimizing illiberal policies.