So far, in this book, the role of political narratives in politics has mostly been studied through the Turkish case, except for Chapter 4, which discusses the Turkish case in comparison with Austria and Hungary. The aim of the current chapter is to broaden the focus and to discuss the role of narratives in other contexts and to further the possibilities of future research of key issues of politics through the analysis of political narratives. In showing how political narratives can be used in understanding political dynamics not limited to the Turkish case, it will particularly focus on the discussion of the crucial role political narratives can play in countering populism and the way studies of democratic backsliding can incorporate the study of political narratives.

The relationship between political narratives and political regimes is a key issue that needs to be tackled. This, we can understand in multiple ways. The most prominent concerns seem to be the relationship between political narratives and the political system on the one hand, and the relationship of such narratives with the citizenship regime of the country, on the other. Both points, though analytically distinct, need to be thought of in conjunction however, as most authoritarian leaders, and in its most current form, right-wing populism, attack liberal democracy and the more inclusive and pluralistic aspects of citizenship simultaneously. I will first briefly discuss how political narratives influence institutions and policies, which is relevant to the prospects of not only the characteristics of the political regime, but also to the future of the citizenship and identity policies of the countries. I will then move on to the discussion of illustrative examples in the rise of political narratives that aim to justify exclusionary and authoritarian institutions and policies, and even politically motivated violence. I will particularly focus on the most popular far-right narrative, especially in the West, namely the political narrative called ‘The Great Replacement Theory’. The remainder of the section will lay out debates with regards to how to best tackle such narratives and the role narratives can play in this struggle.