Research Article

Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état

Volume: 25 Number: 2 October 28, 2025
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Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état

Abstract

Purpose – This article aims to research the reasons behind the actions of liberal democratic states incompatible with liberalism or democracy, through a concrete case set which are their responses to social movements. Methodology – This study employs qualitative research methods, specifically phenomenology and case study. Phenomenology is used for conceptual analysis, while the case study method serves to shape and substantiate the article’s main arguments. Findings – The main finding obtained from the study is that liberal democratic states' reactions to social movements cannot be explained by a prioritization of liberalism or democracy. Conclusions – It is assessed that liberal democratic states respond to all kinds of actions, activities, and efforts that pose a potential disruption to the economic and material circulation of life with certain reactions that do not align with their liberal or democratic characterizations. It has been concluded that underlying this response lies a modern state rationality—one that defines the modern state and transcends its liberal democratic quality, which prioritizes guaranteeing the continuity of life, and specifically, economic circulation. Keywords: Liberal democratic state, social movements, Foucault, modern state reason, material circulation of life. JEL Codes: D72, D74, P10

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Policy, Policy and Administration (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 28, 2025

Submission Date

April 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 25 Number: 2

APA
Altıntaş, S. (2025). Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état. Sosyal Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi, 25(2), 113-126. https://doi.org/10.30976/susead.1681071
AMA
1.Altıntaş S. Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état. SUSEAD. 2025;25(2):113-126. doi:10.30976/susead.1681071
Chicago
Altıntaş, Semih. 2025. “Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison D’état”. Sosyal Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi 25 (2): 113-26. https://doi.org/10.30976/susead.1681071.
EndNote
Altıntaş S (October 1, 2025) Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état. Sosyal Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi 25 2 113–126.
IEEE
[1]S. Altıntaş, “Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état”, SUSEAD, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 113–126, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.30976/susead.1681071.
ISNAD
Altıntaş, Semih. “Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison D’état”. Sosyal Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi 25/2 (October 1, 2025): 113-126. https://doi.org/10.30976/susead.1681071.
JAMA
1.Altıntaş S. Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état. SUSEAD. 2025;25:113–126.
MLA
Altıntaş, Semih. “Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison D’état”. Sosyal Ekonomik Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 25, no. 2, Oct. 2025, pp. 113-26, doi:10.30976/susead.1681071.
Vancouver
1.Semih Altıntaş. Beyond Liberal Promises: Interpreting Illiberal State Reactions to Social Movements through Foucault’s Raison d’état. SUSEAD. 2025 Oct. 1;25(2):113-26. doi:10.30976/susead.1681071