Description
Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest in illiberal governance systems, primarily Hungary and Turkey. Beyond the superficial comparisons among the illiberal states, however, the similarities and differences between the lengthy political career of Viktor Orbán and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the two systems they represent have not gained much academic attention. Recently, both Orbán and Erdoğan have utilized the same power techniques to maintain their unchallenged leading position in their respective countries: their policy can be characterized by changes in the electoral system, excessive media control, defamatory campaigns against party competitors (Jobbik and HDP parties, respectively), aggrandizement of internal-external enemies (Soros, Brussels and Gülen, Washington, respectively), and emphasis on identity politics (nationalism and religious mobilization).
While attempts have been made in the literature to define the religious foundations of the two systems (institutions, movements, parties, belief systems), the religious discourse of Orbán and Erdoğan has not been addressed in depth. For a deeper understanding of the situation, I analyze the governmental (“mainstream”) religious discourse to answer how the governments thematize the issue of Christianity and Islam in their political agenda (identity, national goals, moral values, humanitarianism)? The findings may help better understand and theorize how illiberal governments design their religious discourses and build policies around certain religious ideals.
