The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism
This paper delves into the intricate relationship between religious populism and the legitimization of digital authoritarianism in Turkey. Specifically, it investigates how the ruling party, AKP, has strategically linked Islamist values to state policies as a means of justifying its repressive contr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/747 |
| _version_ | 1797592867721445376 |
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| author | Ihsan Yilmaz |
| author_facet | Ihsan Yilmaz |
| author_sort | Ihsan Yilmaz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper delves into the intricate relationship between religious populism and the legitimization of digital authoritarianism in Turkey. Specifically, it investigates how the ruling party, AKP, has strategically linked Islamist values to state policies as a means of justifying its repressive control over digital technology. Through an examination of internet governance at multiple levels—full network-level governance, sub-network or website-level governance, proxy or corporation-level governance, and network–node or individual-level governance—the study reveals the instrumentalization of religious populism to consolidate support and validate the government’s autocratic agenda. Furthermore, it sheds light on the role of state-controlled religious institutions, traditional media, social media outlets, as well as religious leaders and organizations in shaping public opinion, enabling the government to exert greater control over the dissemination of information. By dissecting the religious populist justification of digital authoritarianism in Turkey, this research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics at play in the realm of online governance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:59:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bada63c76cb243debf32c059dd1cbb14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:59:14Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-bada63c76cb243debf32c059dd1cbb142023-11-18T12:23:16ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-06-0114674710.3390/rel14060747The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious PopulismIhsan Yilmaz0Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC 3125, AustraliaThis paper delves into the intricate relationship between religious populism and the legitimization of digital authoritarianism in Turkey. Specifically, it investigates how the ruling party, AKP, has strategically linked Islamist values to state policies as a means of justifying its repressive control over digital technology. Through an examination of internet governance at multiple levels—full network-level governance, sub-network or website-level governance, proxy or corporation-level governance, and network–node or individual-level governance—the study reveals the instrumentalization of religious populism to consolidate support and validate the government’s autocratic agenda. Furthermore, it sheds light on the role of state-controlled religious institutions, traditional media, social media outlets, as well as religious leaders and organizations in shaping public opinion, enabling the government to exert greater control over the dissemination of information. By dissecting the religious populist justification of digital authoritarianism in Turkey, this research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics at play in the realm of online governance.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/747digital authoritarianismauthoritarianismreligionreligious populismcyberspacesocial media |
| spellingShingle | Ihsan Yilmaz The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism Religions digital authoritarianism authoritarianism religion religious populism cyberspace social media |
| title | The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism |
| title_full | The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism |
| title_fullStr | The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism |
| title_short | The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism |
| title_sort | nexus of digital authoritarianism and religious populism |
| topic | digital authoritarianism authoritarianism religion religious populism cyberspace social media |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/6/747 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ihsanyilmaz thenexusofdigitalauthoritarianismandreligiouspopulism AT ihsanyilmaz nexusofdigitalauthoritarianismandreligiouspopulism |