Kulturkampf to Partykampf? Democratic Backsliding and Democratic Satisfaction in Turkey

Abstract

This article examines why satisfaction with democracy can remain comparatively high in Turkey despite sustained democratic erosion, focusing on the joint role of cultural conflict and partisan identity. It advances the concept of Partykampf, a partisan-cultural fusion that conditions democratic attitudes and satisfaction in this particular case. Interaction models show that satisfaction is not explained by culture or partisanship alone: alignment with the governing bloc strongly amplifies the positive effect of traditional-religious cultural alignment and strong partisan identity, whereas equally strong opposition partisans report markedly lower satisfaction. We conclude that Partykampf offers a powerful lens for understanding how legitimacy perceptions persist during backsliding by reframing democracy through partisan success rather than procedural standards.