Book Presentation: Authoritarianism Debates. The Ongoing Formation of the State in Turkey

In her recent book, "Authoritarianism Debates: The Ongoing Formation of the State in Turkey", Melehat Kutun focuses on how classical political-economic and sociological approaches that have long prevailed in studies on the state and authoritarianism are reproduced or updated in the particularity of Turkey. The book questions these dominant concepts and presents an open-Marxist critique, along with a comprehensive explanation of authoritarianism, contextualised within other prominent discussions in Marxist state theory. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach that builds bridges between state theory, methodological concerns, and contemporary politics in Turkey, focusing on the period since 2010 while also considering both the continuities and ruptures from the previous period.

Melehat Kutun is a political and social scientist who worked as an assistant professor at Mersin University until 2016, when she lost her position alongside many other Academics for Peace. She is currently working at the University of Kassel and is also an associate fellow of IRGAC (International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies). Her publications focus on contemporary politics in Turkey, critical state theories, critical gender studies and abortion politics, and forced political migration.