Conventional Versus Non-conventional Political Participation in Turkey

Book excerpt: This book focuses on the emergence of different forms of civic and political activism in Turkey. It has taken into account different components of active citizenship, specifically looking at the development of civic and political forms of activism that bridge the realms of conventional and non-conventional participation. Focusing on the effects of the 2013 Gezi Park protests—which originated in Istanbul but spread throughout the country—this book reflects on how this experience might re-orient current on civic and political participation in Turkey. Specifically focusing on the main dynamics of non-conventional forms of civic and political activism, this volume attempts to understand the impact of non-conventional forms of political participation on voting behaviour. The internal domestic conditions of the country, as well as its role in the international arena, have dramatically changed since 2013, and are constantly evolving due to the domestic societal and political cleavages, and the regional problems in the Middle East. Yet, the papers in the book reflect upon the significance of occupygezi nowadays, demonstrating not only its importance in questioning the link between the patrimonial state and its citizens, but also for stimulating participatory behaviours. The chapters originally published as a special issue in Turkish Studies.