Rationalization of contradictory cognitive dichotomies versus democracy demands: Istanbul Gezi Park protests

Abstract

The İstanbul Gezi Park protest (June 2013) was the first multicultural and humorous youth uprising in Turkish history. The protests were begun by a group of environmentalists to protest the uprooting of the Istanbul Taksim Gezi Park trees for the reconstruction of Artillery Barracks. However, these protests turned into a large, leaderless forum that used slogans, humorous graffiti, and music to express suppressed feelings and thoughts regarding human rights and to criticize Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s restrictive and uncompromising acts and his disproportionate use of police force. This article provides an identity profile of the protesting youth based on their humorous messages during the protests. However, it primarily concentrates on how Erdogan rationalizes authority and power through contradictory mental cognitions by referring to mythical dichotomies regarding the protesters, himself, and his supporters and, further, how he configures a specific concept of democracy. The research was based on contextual analysis utilizing critical discourse analysis tools. The research derives conclusions regarding the identity of the protesting youth and the type of identity that Erdogan is seeking to enact for the protesters, himself, his supporters, and the country. This article’s contribution lies in its elucidation of the main characteristics of a unique Turkish protest movement, the rhetorical divide between the protesters and the Prime Minister during the protests, and, particularly, how Prime Minister Erdogan rationalized the contradictory cognitive dichotomies to maintain his power, thwart the democratic demands of the protesters, and manipulate his supporters.