Change and transformation period of status quo in Turkish politics: From discourse politics to action politics Özal-Erbakan-Erdoğan period policies

According to this doctoral dissertation, the real change and transformation was realized in the political practices of the Kemalist thinking established, institutionalized and became a status quo in the single party period of the Republic, in Özal, Erbakan and Erdoğan periods. It is obvious that international developments besides political figures have paved the way for change politics. Especially the rise of "neo-liberal" or "new right" politics in the second half of 1970s, rise of post modernity and globalization in 1980s and the widespread thoughts of democracy, human rights and identity politics have prepared a suitable environment for this change. The changes in the periods of Özal-Erbakan-Erdoğan have been possible on the basis of societal traditions and conservative values. However, the lack of "continuity-dynamism" in change policies has led to limited effects. The permanence of change policies and transformation of the political system into liberal pluralistic democracy depend on demands of social segments as well as its compatibility with the social values. Change politics based on external dynamics, conjuncture, leader-orientation and mentality, which are not based on social grounds, can be short-lived or intermittent or lose democratic gains. As long as the change of Turkish politics is not internalized in the mental and institutional sense, the vicious circle based on the dilemma of "change-status quo" will continue. Key Words: Status quo, Change, Mind Nomadism.