Bengisu Savran
Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan's authoritarian AKP has governed Turkey for more than twenty years. The regime has consistently rolled back gender rights. Despite this, many women continue to vote for it. Why? Bengisu Savran suggests clientelism and welfare benefits may provide the answer Read more
ErdoÄŸan Altun
In the first round of the Turkish elections on 14 May, the incumbent AKP, led by President ErdoÄŸan, won a narrow victory. This was a crushing blow for the opposition, who had pinned their hopes on Turkey's economic crisis, and crippling inflation, ending ErdoÄŸan's authority. ErdoÄŸan Altun explains how the AKP's electoral campaign, patronage and social assistance were crucial to its success Read more
Dragomir Stoyanov
The success of new challenger parties in Bulgaria's recent national election has reconfigured the country's party system. Dragomir Stoyanov speculates that this may well mark an end to the decade-long era of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov Read more
Rachel M. Gisselquist
The last several months have given us many reasons to worry about US democracy – not least the riot at the US Capitol and the president’s refusal to accept the results of the November election, with Republican support. Rachel Gisselquist argues that clientelism is yet another reason to worry Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
