Cash assistance by smart card: from multiple functions to multiple legitimacies of a municipal social policy instrument

Abstract

A policy instrument can take on multi-dimensional objectives as additional elements are added over time. I examine this through analysis of the support card' established by the Turkish district municipality of Baakehir. In this case, a market-based system of income support and instrument for partizan mobilization subsequently transformed into a technology demonstration project. The appearance of multiple objectives is the result of the juxtaposition of target audiences, including a European-based innovation network, low income urban residents, local businesses, and volunteers for the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalknma Partisi, AKP) party. This analysis also contributes to a better conceptualization of the AKP's capacity to enhance its legitimacy beyond electoral mobilization.