Offside politics during the democratic erosion: social movements and May 2023 presidential election cycle in Turkey

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate how social movements try to adjust to closing political opportunities during democratic erosion with a case study of the 2023 electoral cycle in Turkey. Using the framework of Doug McAdam and Sidney Tarrow's analysis of the reciprocal relationship between social movements and elections, we conclude that many previously influential movements found themselves offside as the political field and the rules of the game changed. The peculiarities of this case provide insights to social movement scholars to study changing structural factors in countries that experience democratic backsliding to various degrees. While anti-incumbent movements and parties react to democratic erosion/try to prevent it by becoming more active, the right-wing movements might strengthen these regimes through alliances.