The Concept of Populism in Political Science and Its Reflections in Turkey
Political scientists state that the fundamental characteristic distinguishing populism from other ideologies is its "thin" structure. Unlike ideologies that offer comprehensive socio-political programs such as fascism, socialism, or liberalism, populism is shaped upon a more flexible and variable framework.
Experts express that populism does not constitute a complete governance program on its own, but rather operates by merging with existing political structures. This situation causes populist rhetoric to appear in different forms on both the government and opposition sides.
It is observed that populist rhetoric is also frequently used in Turkey's political atmosphere. Political actors shape this "thin" ideological structure in line with their own political goals in order to appeal to different segments of society and increase voter support.
In conclusion, the impact of populism on politics changes depending on the expectations of society and how political rhetoric is constructed, rather than the program it offers. Understanding this concept provides an important key for analyzing political debates and voter preferences in Turkey.