Kris Kristofferson

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, born on February 26, 1954, is one of the most influential political figures in modern Turkish history, shaping the direction of the country for over two decades. He has served as the Prime Minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014, and subsequently as the President since 2014, holding considerable sway over Turkey's political, economic, and social landscapes. His political journey, characterized by both strong popularity and deep controversy, offers a comprehensive view into Turkey’s contemporary political evolution, its relation with the West, and its internal transformations.

Early Life and Career

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was born in the Kasımpaşa district of Istanbul, an area known for its working-class population. His family is of Georgian descent, having migrated from Rize, a province along Turkey's northeastern Black Sea coast. Erdoğan grew up in a conservative, religious household and attended an Islamic Imam Hatip school for his secondary education. This background would play a formative role in shaping his worldview and his political career, rooted in Islamic and conservative values.

After completing his education, Erdoğan entered into politics at an early age. He became involved with the youth wing of the National Salvation Party (Milli Selamet Partisi), a conservative Islamic political party led by Necmettin Erbakan. This was his first encounter with political Islamism, which would heavily influence his later policies and rhetoric.

Rise in Politics: Mayor of Istanbul (1994–1998)

Erdoğan's first major break in politics came when he was elected the Mayor of Istanbul in 1994. This was a significant achievement for a politician emerging from the Islamist Welfare Party (Refah Partisi), especially considering that Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and economic hub. As mayor, Erdoğan developed a reputation for effective governance, focusing on infrastructure, public services, and alleviating chronic issues like traffic congestion and water shortages. His pragmatism won him broad support, even beyond his Islamist base, making him a rising star in Turkish politics.

However, his mayoral career was abruptly interrupted. In 1998, Erdoğan was sentenced to prison for reciting a nationalist poem, seen as inciting religious intolerance. The poem included lines like: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets, and the believers our soldiers." His imprisonment, however, lasted only four months, and it arguably enhanced his popularity as a political martyr within conservative circles.

Formation of the AKP and Rise to Power

Following his release from prison, the Welfare Party was dissolved by Turkey’s Constitutional Court, but Erdoğan did not abandon his political ambitions. In 2001, he co-founded the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP) with a group of reformist politicians. The AKP sought to distance itself from the overt Islamism of its predecessors, framing itself as a conservative, democratic party in tune with the values of modern Turkey while still adhering to Islamic moral tenets. This rebranding strategy proved highly successful.

In the 2002 general elections, the AKP won a sweeping victory, capturing nearly two-thirds of the parliamentary seats, although it received only 34% of the popular vote due to Turkey’s electoral system. Erdoğan himself was barred from becoming prime minister initially due to his criminal conviction, but a legal amendment facilitated his entry into parliament through a by-election in 2003. He then took over as Prime Minister from Abdullah Gül.

Domestic Policy and Economic Growth

Erdoğan’s early years in power were marked by significant economic growth and political reforms. The AKP government, under Erdoğan's leadership, implemented a series of liberal economic policies that stimulated rapid economic growth, lifted millions out of poverty, and attracted foreign investment. Turkey’s GDP more than tripled during Erdoğan’s first decade in power, transforming the country into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

In terms of domestic politics, Erdoğan initially pushed through significant democratic reforms, often in alignment with Turkey’s aspirations for European Union membership. The AKP curtailed the power of the military, historically a dominant force in Turkish politics, particularly as a protector of the secular state. Reducing military influence was seen as a critical step toward civilian control and aligning Turkey with EU democratic standards.

However, alongside these reforms came the consolidation of Erdoğan’s power. Over time, critics began accusing him of authoritarian tendencies, including curbing press freedom, reducing judicial independence, and repressing opposition. The media landscape in Turkey, particularly, became less free, with many journalists arrested and media outlets facing increasing government pressure.

Foreign Policy: From "Zero Problems" to Regional Power Projection

In the early years of Erdoğan’s tenure, Turkish foreign policy, under the guidance of his foreign minister and later prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, followed a strategy of "zero problems with neighbors." This approach sought to stabilize relations with all of Turkey’s neighbors and make Turkey a central diplomatic player in the region. Erdoğan also pursued deeper ties with the European Union and sought to elevate Turkey’s role on the global stage.

However, as Erdoğan's tenure extended, Turkey’s foreign policy shifted towards a more assertive and interventionist stance, particularly after the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2011. Turkey began to support Islamist movements in the region, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, positioning itself as a champion of political Islam. This placed Turkey at odds with traditional allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Relations with the United States and European Union also became more strained, particularly over Erdoğan’s increasingly authoritarian domestic policies and divergent foreign policy positions.

The Syrian Civil War became a focal point for Turkish foreign policy, as Erdoğan took a strong stance against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and supported rebel groups. Turkey also dealt with the massive influx of Syrian refugees, becoming the largest host of refugees globally. The war also brought Turkey into conflict with Kurdish militias in Syria, whom Erdoğan viewed as extensions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Kurdish insurgent group in Turkey.

Erdoğan’s foreign policy has also increasingly pivoted toward Russia, despite historical rivalries. Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, a move that created tension within NATO, especially with the United States. This marked a broader trend of Erdoğan seeking to balance Turkey's traditional Western alliances with new partnerships, including with Russia and China.

Erosion of Democracy and the 2016 Coup Attempt

Perhaps the most significant event in Erdoğan's presidency was the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016. Elements within the Turkish military attempted to overthrow Erdoğan’s government, resulting in a night of violence, with fighter jets bombing key government buildings in Ankara and clashes between soldiers and civilians. Erdoğan, addressing the nation via FaceTime, called on his supporters to take to the streets and defend democracy, which they did in large numbers. The coup was defeated within hours, but the event marked a turning point in Turkey’s political landscape.

Erdoğan accused Fethullah Gülen, a former ally and leader of a transnational Islamic movement, of orchestrating the coup. Gülen, living in self-imposed exile in the United States, denied the allegations. In the aftermath, Erdoğan launched a massive purge of state institutions, including the military, judiciary, police, and education sectors, targeting not only alleged Gülenists but also a broad range of critics and opposition figures. Tens of thousands were arrested, and many more were dismissed from their jobs.

The coup attempt also provided Erdoğan with the political momentum to push through a controversial referendum in 2017 that significantly expanded the powers of the presidency. The changes shifted Turkey from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency, concentrating more power in Erdoğan’s hands. Critics argued that these changes marked the erosion of Turkish democracy, while Erdoğan and his supporters claimed they were necessary for stability and governance.

Economic Challenges and Increasing Polarization

In recent years, Turkey’s economic situation has deteriorated, with high inflation, rising unemployment, and a depreciating currency. Erdoğan’s economic policies, particularly his insistence on keeping interest rates low to spur growth despite rising inflation, have been widely criticized by economists. Turkey has experienced recurrent financial crises, and while the country remains a significant economic player, its growth trajectory has slowed considerably from the boom years of the early 2000s.

Domestically, Erdoğan’s rule has become increasingly polarized. His base remains largely composed of conservative, religious, and rural voters who see Erdoğan as a defender of traditional values against secular elites. However, urban, secular, and younger populations have grown increasingly disillusioned with his leadership, particularly given his government’s perceived authoritarianism, restrictions on freedom of speech, and the crackdown on civil society.

Legacy and Continuing Influence

As of 2024, Erdoğan continues to dominate Turkish politics, and his legacy is still being written. To his supporters, Erdoğan is a transformative leader who has reasserted Turkey’s independence on the global stage, defended its sovereignty, and uplifted the marginalized religiously conservative populations. He is often credited with stabilizing Turkey after decades of political instability and for overseeing significant economic development during his early years in power.

To his detractors, however, Erdoğan is seen as an authoritarian leader who has eroded Turkey’s democratic institutions, cracked down on dissent, and presided over an increasingly centralized and corrupt political system. His tenure has been marked by a significant decline in press freedoms, the jailing of opposition leaders, and growing polarization within Turkish society.

In the international arena, Erdoğan’s legacy is equally complex. He has transformed Turkey from a relatively passive regional actor into an assertive power, engaging in military interventions in Syria, Libya, and beyond, while also deepening ties with non-Western powers. However, his confrontational stance towards the West, especially his strained relations with the European Union and the United States, has raised questions about Turkey’s future geopolitical alignment.

In sum, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remains one of the most pivotal figures in modern Turkey, with a legacy that spans both economic modernization and authoritarian consolidation. His impact on Turkey, the Middle East, and broader geopolitics will continue to shape the region for years to come.