The Irresistible Rise of the AKP

The spectacular rise of the AKP occurred as the military was losing its influence over civilian politics; this offered a unique opportunity for a new political party with Islamic origins to form a government and stay there. For a time the AKP performed well on many levels, with significant improvements in public health, transportation, public services, the economy and the rise of a new middle class, all symptoms of success. This chapter charts and accounts for the rise of the AKP from its Islamic origins during the Turkish-Islamic Synthesis, and explains how the party navigated through the complex web of Turkish politics from the origins of the Milli Gorus movement to its difficulties and controversies while in government, winning election after election despite obstacles including opposition from the military and a split with the Gulen movement.