Resistance against Authoritarian Neoliberalism in Turkey

Abstract

While capitalism has been associated with democracy for a long time, neoliberalization that coincides with the rise of populism and authoritarian resurgence in the global context spark further inquiry upon the relationship between capital accumulation and political regimes. The growing literature on authoritarian neoliberalism examines the relationship between authoritarian governance and neoliberalization and interrogates how neoliberal reforms buttress the legal, administrative and coercive power of states and create leverage for ruling governments to enhance authoritarian forms of governance. While these studies highlight the vulnerability of these regimes to popular resistance and emphasize their crisis-laden character, there is a need for an extensive analysis of the dynamics of resistance in authoritarian neoliberal regimes to understand the limits and potentials of counter-hegemonic practices. In addition to the theoretical discussion, and the dynamics between authoritarian neoliberalism and resistance, the panel will offer in-depth case studies from Turkey, including examples from civil society, litigation, labouring practices, and urban transformation. In doing so, we will demonstrate the repertories of resistance against authoritarian neoliberalism in Turkey and discuss how different sections of society including NGOs, judicial actors, workers, women, and ordinary citizens challenge or reinforce neoliberal policies with their claims, tactics, strategies and discourses. Drawing upon multidisciplinary scholarship from sociology, politics, law, urban development, and feminist studies, the panel explores the capacity of resistance to challenge both the neoliberal regime and the increasing authoritarianism in Turkey.

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