Desecularization in Turkey : historical context and current developments
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Turkey, once a model for Muslim-majority countries, has been rapidly desecularizing over the past two decades. This shift is most evident in education, aligning with Erdogan's aim to raise a "pious generation," and in state bureaucracy, followed by social life. Laws have been instrumental in implementing these institutional changes, while political rhetoric has further encouraged this shift, particularly in attitudes toward women. Based on Karpov's conceptualization, desecularization is occurring through dedifferentiation, where religion converges with other institutions, and through the deprivatization of religion, as religious beliefs are no longer seen as purely personal issues. The desecularization process can also be traced through the redefinition of boundaries due to Turkey's open-door policy with Syria and the exodus of secular youth, and through the economy with an increase in faith-based consumption and production. According to Bruce's definition of secularization, this process is evident through the rising social standing of religious institutions and their staff, which is a natural consequence of dedifferentiation. The top-down imposition of desecularization has advanced to a point where it may lead to a potential regime change.
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Ph. D.