What does it mean for a government to declare its citizens 'dead' while they still live? Following the failed 2016 coup, the Turkish AKP government implemented sweeping powers against some 152,000 of its citizens. These Kanun hükmünde kararnameli ('emergency decreed') were dismissed from their positions and banned for life from public service. With their citizenship rights revoked, Seçkin Sertdemir argues these individuals were rendered into a state of 'civic death'. This study considers how these authoritarian securitisation methods took shape, shedding light on the lived experiences of targeted people. Bringing together approaches from political philosophy, social anthropology, and sociology, Sertdemir outlines the approaches and justifications used by the Turkish government to dismiss opponents, increase surveillance, and brand citizens as 'terrorists'. At the same time, extensive archival research and in-depth interviews bring focus to the impact of these measures on the lives of women, and the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities.

Winner, 2025 Choice Awards

‘Seçkin Sertdemir offers a much-needed intervention in the realm of Turkish politics, pushing debates beyond the usual discussions of comparative authoritarianism and regime change in Turkey. This book impressively combines both theoretical and empirical contributions, providing original insights into Turkish politics, and its findings are applicable to other cases worldwide.’

Bahar Baser - Durham University

‘Civic Death in Contemporary Turkey treats its topic in an original and stimulating manner. Seckin Sertdemir’s work reflects interesting and novel scholarship, and is significantly original in its material.’

Christian Kaunert - University of South Wales

‘… develops a theoretically sophisticated argument that resonates with anyone interested in the consequences of democratic backsliding … Highly recommended.’

H. Shambayati Source: Choice