The Evolution of Social Democracy and the CHP in Türkiye

Abstract This study examines, in a straightforward manner, the emergence of social democracy on the historical stage, its evolution from Marxist roots to a reformist line, its international development, and its trajectory in Turkey. Aiming to increase the welfare of the working class through the principles of equality, freedom, and social justice, social democracy, in the First and Second Internationals, deviated from revolutionary ideals and chose compromise with capitalism. Experiencing its golden age with the welfare state after World War II, the movement expanded social rights through planned and public sector-oriented policies. However, from the 1980s onwards, the neoliberal wave, with its privatizations and departure from planning, weakened social democracy. Parties that adapted to neoliberalism, such as the Brazilian Workers' Party, lost support by severing ties with the working class and unions. In Turkey, the CHP shifted from a statist identity to a social democratic line, but in the neoliberal period, its focus on privatizations damaged its relationship with voters and unions. This led to the strengthening of right-wing capitalist parties. Today, social democracy must produce innovative solutions to the transformative effects of income inequality, automation, and new technologies. The article examines the global and local dynamics of social democracy, particularly its evolution in Türkiye, specifically focusing on the CHP (Republican People's Party).