Justice and Development

The Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish acronym AKP (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi), is a political party in Turkey that has been a dominant force in the country's politics since its establishment in 2001. Founded by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a group of politicians from various political backgrounds, including some from Islamist parties, the AKP positioned itself as a conservative democratic party. It sought to blend a commitment to traditional conservative values, such as family, religion, and national identity, with a modern approach to governance, emphasizing economic…   development, democracy, and integration with the global economy.

The AKP's values are rooted in a moderate interpretation of Islam, which has allowed it to appeal to a broad segment of Turkish society, including those who favor a more significant role for religion in public life as well as those who are more secular but support the party's economic policies. The party advocates for economic liberalism, with a focus on fostering economic growth, increasing employment, and attracting foreign investment. Under the AKP's governance, Turkey experienced significant economic expansion and infrastructure development, which contributed to its popularity.

On the political front, the AKP initially pursued a policy of democratic reforms aimed at enhancing human rights and aligning Turkey's laws with the European Union's standards, as part of its bid for EU membership. The party also sought to diminish the political influence of the Turkish military, which had a history of intervening in politics, thereby consolidating civilian control over the military.

However, in recent years, critics have accused the AKP of authoritarian tendencies, pointing to crackdowns on freedom of speech, the press, and political dissent, as well as attempts to centralize power. The party's approach to governance has sparked debates about democracy and authoritarianism in Turkey, with supporters arguing that the AKP has strengthened Turkish sovereignty and opponents warning of eroding democratic norms.

In summary, the Justice and Development Party represents a blend of conservative and democratic values, with a strong emphasis on economic development, moderate Islamic principles, and initially, democratic reforms. However, its tenure has also been marked by controversy regarding its governance style and approach to civil liberties.