Conservatism in Turkey

Conservatism in Turkey (Turkish: Muhafazakârlık) is a national variant of conservatism throughout Turkey reflected in the agendas of many of the country's political parties, most notably the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), which describes its prevailing ideology as conservative democracy.

Ideals predominantly at odds with conservatives, such as secularism, statism, populism, and the existence of a social state are enshrined within the Constitution of Turkey.

[3] However, Kemalism has also been described by some as a form of conservative nationalism as it endorses and safeguards the established traditions of the Turkish state.

[6] Turkish conservatism therefore tends to be more socially conservative, religious, and in favour of strong centralised leadership, therefore often being characterised as authoritarian by critics.

[8] Recent surveys continuously show that conservatism in Turkey enjoys strong political support, predominantly in the central Anatolia region and rural areas where village and local traditions remain strictly enforced.