Framing Populism and Cycles of Populist Frames: A Mixed Method Analysis of Erdoğan’s Speeches between 2014-2024
(2024) SIMZ51 20241Graduate School
- Abstract
- This study investigates the framing of populism in the speeches of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from 2014 to 2024. It aims to understand how populist frames are constructed and transformed over time by centralizing social mobilization beyond party classification as populist or not and media perspectives. The main research question explores how populism is framed and aligned over the specified period. Sub-questions address the identification, amplification, extension, and transformation of core populist frames.
Using an exploratory sequential design, the study combines qualitative content analysis with quantitative methods, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques like word embeddings and sentiment analysis.... (More) - This study investigates the framing of populism in the speeches of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from 2014 to 2024. It aims to understand how populist frames are constructed and transformed over time by centralizing social mobilization beyond party classification as populist or not and media perspectives. The main research question explores how populism is framed and aligned over the specified period. Sub-questions address the identification, amplification, extension, and transformation of core populist frames.
Using an exploratory sequential design, the study combines qualitative content analysis with quantitative methods, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques like word embeddings and sentiment analysis. Diagnostic frames often emphasize security threats and crises, while prognostic frames highlight economic growth and infrastructure projects. Identity and adversarial frames characterize the division between "us" (the people) and "them" (elites or enemies).
The analysis shows that sentiments associated with these frames vary significantly across years and speech types. Positive sentiments are frequently linked with the prognostic frame by indicating an optimistic outlook on economic projects and national achievements. In contrast, diagnostic and adversarial frames usually contain negative sentiments emphasizing threats and opposition. The identity frame promotes strong in-group sentiments by highlighting unity and collective identity among "the people." Over time, there has been a noticeable increase in adversarial frame, especially in speeches delivered at rallies and official events, which stresses a shift towards more divisive language. This strategic use of populist frames reveals the dynamic interplay between frames, sentiment, and context in populist discourse. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Populism has become an important topic in our contemporary world. It is a political approach where leaders claim to represent the interests of ordinary people against the elite or established powers. While populism is often based on the will of the majority, it is seen as excluding minority groups and posing a threat to liberal democracies. However, these perceptions are primarily based on Western democracies, and existing theories struggle to conceptualize populism in other contexts. Additionally, many studies focus on political parties or communication styles and often overlook how populism is framed to increase social mobilization and related to the rise of populism.
This study examines Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's use of... (More) - Populism has become an important topic in our contemporary world. It is a political approach where leaders claim to represent the interests of ordinary people against the elite or established powers. While populism is often based on the will of the majority, it is seen as excluding minority groups and posing a threat to liberal democracies. However, these perceptions are primarily based on Western democracies, and existing theories struggle to conceptualize populism in other contexts. Additionally, many studies focus on political parties or communication styles and often overlook how populism is framed to increase social mobilization and related to the rise of populism.
This study examines Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's use of populist frames in his speeches from 2014 to 2024 which offers insights into how he connects with the public and maintains political influence. Erdoğan frequently emphasizes security threats and economic challenges, and blames inside and outside powers, while promoting economic growth and infrastructure projects as solutions. His speeches often aim to create a sense of national unity and identity through portraying Turkish citizens as resilient and capable against external threats.
By analyzing over 1,500 speeches and using advanced text analysis techniques, the study finds that Erdoğan strategically adapted the populist frames to respond to political and economic changes. Understanding how leaders like Erdoğan frame populism is crucial because it reveals the power of political messaging in shaping public opinion and governance. Future studies could explore similar patterns in other countries to understand how populist leaders worldwide influence their citizens and impact political dynamics. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9173661
- author
- Guclu Altintas, Necla LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SIMZ51 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- populism, frame analysis, mixed-methods, qualitative content analysis, NLP, sentiment analysis, word-embeddings, Turkey
- language
- English
- id
- 9173661
- date added to LUP
- 2024-09-13 14:45:47
- date last changed
- 2024-09-13 14:45:47
@misc{9173661,
abstract = {{This study investigates the framing of populism in the speeches of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from 2014 to 2024. It aims to understand how populist frames are constructed and transformed over time by centralizing social mobilization beyond party classification as populist or not and media perspectives. The main research question explores how populism is framed and aligned over the specified period. Sub-questions address the identification, amplification, extension, and transformation of core populist frames.
Using an exploratory sequential design, the study combines qualitative content analysis with quantitative methods, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques like word embeddings and sentiment analysis. Diagnostic frames often emphasize security threats and crises, while prognostic frames highlight economic growth and infrastructure projects. Identity and adversarial frames characterize the division between "us" (the people) and "them" (elites or enemies).
The analysis shows that sentiments associated with these frames vary significantly across years and speech types. Positive sentiments are frequently linked with the prognostic frame by indicating an optimistic outlook on economic projects and national achievements. In contrast, diagnostic and adversarial frames usually contain negative sentiments emphasizing threats and opposition. The identity frame promotes strong in-group sentiments by highlighting unity and collective identity among "the people." Over time, there has been a noticeable increase in adversarial frame, especially in speeches delivered at rallies and official events, which stresses a shift towards more divisive language. This strategic use of populist frames reveals the dynamic interplay between frames, sentiment, and context in populist discourse.}},
author = {{Guclu Altintas, Necla}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Framing Populism and Cycles of Populist Frames: A Mixed Method Analysis of Erdoğan’s Speeches between 2014-2024}},
year = {{2024}},
}