"For the last century, the Western world has regarded Turkey as a pivotal case of the 'clash of civilisations' between Islam and the West. Why Turkey is Authoritarian challenges this conventional narrative. Halil Karaveli highlights the danger in viewing events in Turkey as a war between a 'westernising' state and the popular masses defending their culture and religion. Instead, Karaveli explores the struggles of different social groups in Turkey, in order to understand why democracy has eluded the Turkish nation and people for so long, and why authoritarian governments return time and time again. Ultimately, Turkish history is instructive for a left that faces the global challenge of a rising populist right, which succeeds in mobilising culture and identity for its own purpose."--Backcover.