Perpetuating Civil Martyrdom: Exploring Erdogan’s National Addresses on Historical Events

Abstract

The piece of research investigates Turkish President Erdogan’s addresses to the nation between 2014-2020, focusing on how they reflect a necropolitical populist style. The study aims to analyse how Erdogan uses language to maintain control, particularly through necropolitical narratives that invoke civil martyrdom and historical events to fortify his position of power. The chosen period encompasses Erdogan’s presidency, marked by a shift in Turkey’s domestic policies, transitioning from democratic values to an authoritarian regime. The theoretical framework is based on critical discourse analysis, specifically focusing on the populist style as described by Benjamin Moffitt and others. This style is characterized by bad manners, an appeal to the people, and the performance of crises. Furthermore, the research connects Erdogan’s statements to necropolitics, where the idea of martyrdom, especially in the context of national historical events, is used to galvanize support and legitimize authoritarian governance. Necropolitical discourse serves to reinforce Erdogan’s image as a defender of the nation, merging populism with historical narratives to create a cohesive and potent political discourse. Hence Erdogan’s discourse in national addresses is instrumental in perpetuating his control, manipulating both the past and present to align with his authoritarian objectives, and resonating deeply with the public through emotional and moral appeals.