A New Model Suggestion In Political Leadership: Case Of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

• Main Author: Oğuz GÖKSU
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gaziantep University 2019-07-01
• Series: Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences
• Subjects: Political leadership; Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; emotional bond
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/download/article-file/748865
• ISSN: 1303-0094; 2149-5459

This article aims to provide a political leadership model peculiar to Turkey via the specific case of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by examining different leadership styles primarily through Max Weber's typology of leadership. The study is based on the premise that Erdoğan has an emotional bond with citizens. The question raised in this study is as follows: “What sort of a political leadership model would society bond with depending on the political culture in Turkey?” The study covers the period starting from 1994, when Erdoğan presented himself as a candidate for Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, to April 16, 2017 referendum. Erdoğan's political life and the fact that he is still alive is the biggest challenge in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with the experts of the research as ‘arbitrators’. The interviews used a semi-structured questionnaire. As a result of the research, it could be mentioned that Erdoğan has established an emotional bond with the citizens, through which is created the link between the social legitimacy and voter loyalty. According to the findings, there is no valid political leadership model in Turkey; however, getting approval from the public majority, various leadership styles have come into existence being subject to the conditions of the period, society's expectations and the qualities of the leader. As a result of the study, “Erdoğan style leadership” is formed in political leadership. The elements that distinguish Erdoğan style leadership typology from others are as follows: Emotional bonds, social legitimacy, identification, political communication and organizationalism. Erdoğan’s leadership style represents the leader who is able to legitimize Muslim lifestyle in public yet still unable to achieve conservatism-secular peace, strategic in using political communication, accepted as a leader but has a weakness for tolerance.