Authoritarian Transformation in Istanbul’s Old City
Two new books explore the evolving political landscape of Istanbul and Turkey. Authors Suzy Hansen and Alexander Christie-Miller aim to provide a realistic portrayal of the country's recent history, moving beyond simplistic narratives. Their works reflect on the complexities of Istanbul as a microcosm of Turkey's broader societal changes under authoritarian rule.
- ▪The books focus on the transformation of Istanbul since 2015 under the ruling Justice and Development Party.
- ▪Hansen and Christie-Miller challenge foreign narratives that oversimplify Turkey's political situation.
- ▪Both authors emphasize the importance of realism in their portrayals of Istanbul's neighborhoods.
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Review Authoritarian Transformation in Istanbul’s Old City Two new books seek to capture the changing reality of Turkey and the world. By Selim Koru, an analyst at the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey and the author of the Substack blog Kültürkampf. A narrow, paved alleyway is covered by a canopy of red and white flags and portraits of a man hanging from wires overhead. Below, a few men are scattered throughout the street. On the left, a man sits on a plastic chair next to a small table, looking down at his phone. In the center, two men sit at another small table conversing with a man who is standing nearby. To the right, another man sits alone against a brick wall.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Foreign Policy.
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