Contesting Pluralism(s): Islamism, Liberalism and Nationalism in Turkey and Beyond

• Florence School of Transnational Governance
• TD21 - Trasnational Democracy in the 21st century

As the liberal international order wobbles, how can we better learn across cases and regional experiences of illiberal turns? For an original and timely framework and findings, join Nora Fisher-Onar for a discussion of her new book: 'Contesting Pluralism(s): Islamism, Liberalism and Nationalism in Turkey and Beyond' (Cambridge UP, 2025)

As the liberal international order weakens, anti-pluralist leaders and movements seek to capture states & societies. At the same time, more (and less) vigorous coalitions for open societies are challenging the global anti-pluralist turn. This pattern involves multiple actors, norms, pressures and processes which can and should be compared to better understand this acute global challenge. 

Professor Fisher-Onar’s new book offers an original framework that puts complexity thinking into conversation with (global) IR and comparative politics/area studies. The product is a dramatic re-reading of Turkey’s political history and present wherein the primary driver of political change is not any Islam/ist vs. secularism or democracy cleavage but rather shifting coalitions of pluralising and anti-pluralist actors across camps. 

Nora Fisher-Onar is Associate Professor of International Studies at the University of San Francisco. Her research combines tools from comparative politics, international relations, and area studies to rethink the relationship between religion, politics, and pluralism, challenging Orientalism in how we read Muslim-majority states and societies. Previous publications include 'Istanbul: Living with Difference in a Global City' (2018).