I wonder if this would've happened if the country wasn't in the fucking gutter right now due to it's absolute shit government and economic policies.

I doubt it, considering they said they're doing it because the government and state of things is shit.

It amazes me that the people who live in these countries know how corrupt their government is, but they still support it.   

It's not nearly the same, but supporters of Trump are a prime example of how that works. Be charismatic, promise a lot, act like you're on their side. Demagogues are dangerous. Erdogan is simply appealing to the Muslims that long felt isolated in the secular Turkey. Trump is appealing to the people who've lost their jobs due to modernization of many businesses that go to robots/other countries now, along with salary issues. Once you get their support you can pretty much do whatever you want.