Constructing Turkey Inc.: The Discursive Anatomy of a Domestic and Foreign Policy Agenda

Abstract

The article draws on speech act theory to argue that Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) wields a discursive repertoire that consists of four main narratives: a democratization, a (post-)Islamist, an Ottomanist and a Turkey Inc. story. It examines the illocutionary intent, that is, the ways in which discourses are used to co-ordinate policy and strategically project appeals to specific constituencies. It also examines the perlocutionary uptake of these discourses, namely, the ways in which they are received by target audiences. This makes it possible to unpack the tensions which obtain within and across narratives, and account for the apparent contradictions in AKP positions on a range of issues. The overarching argument of the article is that the party's prime purpose is to establish Turkey Inc., that is to position Turkey as a (soft) power hub and gateway for transactions across its multiple regions and hinterlands, the other discourses in the repertoire, the article contends, are harnessed to this end.

Keywords:

• AKP
• discursive repertoire
• democratization
• (Post)-Islamism
• Ottomanism
• Turkey Inc

Notes

¹ Speech delivered at Examination Schools in Oxford in October 2004.

² Gül withdrew her petition against the Turkish state when the AKP came to power.

³ The amendment was later overturned by the Constitutional Court.