Patriarchy and political regimes: the role of patriarchal narratives in neopatrimonialism, populism, and the rise of the far right

This article is written with the motivation to call for more interaction between the fields of gender studies and the study of political regimes. Approaching the Turkish case in comparative perspective, it aims to demonstrate the necessity to bring the study of gender to the foreground of comparative politics and specifically the study of issues such as states, political regimes, political parties, and social movements. In what follows, I explain why gender studies need to have a central place in the study of political science and comparative politics in particular instead of being seen solely as the study of male domination. I demonstrate the crucial role patriarchy plays in neopatrimonialism, populism, and far right politics. I show that understanding the link between authoritarianism and patriarchy is key in making sense of the authoritarian dynamics in politics. Being able to understand this link, on the other hand, can serve as a vital springboard in imagining more democratic, pluralistic, and inclusive political futures, as some social movements have tried to show us.