Modern
Muslim World
Session 5
BAHU3073
The Turkish Ideology
What is Ideology?
An ideology is a set of beliefs, especially the political beliefs on
which people, parties, or countries base their actions.
The Turkish Ideology
Since Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the modern secular Republic
of Turkey in 1923, the Turkish military has perceived itself as the
guardian of Atatürkism, the official state ideology.
Kemal Ataturk’s Arrows/ Principles
Once a relatively homogeneous ethnic community had been established, the next
step was to create effective modern political institutions for the exercise of
authority. It was then possible for those in control to work through the institutions
to impose religious, social, cultural, and legal reforms on society.
One traditional forms and customs had been weakened or eliminated, the way was
then open for industrialization and economic development
The immediate objective of the Kemalist reforms and the ideology of Kemalism was
the realization of a modern Turkish state and society.
Their ultimate objective was bringing Turkey to a level even above contemporary
civilization.
The Six Principles
The Kemalism introduces six principles, which were to provide the guidelines in the
attainment of these objectives.
Furthermore, it was believed, these objectives would be realized through national
unity.
These six principles were republicanism, nationalism, populism, secularism, etatism,
and modernism.
A thorough insight into Kemalism can be attained through an analysis of these six
basic principles which were also incorporated into the RPP program and into the
Turkish constitution of 1924 during Ataturk's Presidency.
Republicanism:
A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected
representatives.
It means that Turkey is no longer an empire, nor is it led by a hereditary ruler.
This principle is interpreted to mean that it is only the republican regime that can
best represent and realize the ideal of national sovereignty freedom and equality
before law.
It was established as a mixed government system tinged with adhoc absolutism and
futurist democratism.
Nationalism
Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests.
It is the most powerful and dominant principle of Ataturk. It defined as a nation,
which is a social and political formation comprising citizens, linked together by the
community of language, culture and deal.
According to Kemalist ideology one's Turkishness is not determined by one's race or
religion but by the degree a person associates himself with the ideals and goals of
the Turkish republic and through commitment to Turkey's independence and
modernization.
Thus, he created the unity of language and cultural cohesion relying principally on
the linguistic and cultural resemblance to solve the problems of not yet assimilated
minorities.
Populism
A political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their
concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
In past the term was applied to various movements mobilizing the intelligentsia for
the economic, social and cultural services of the masses. At present, it is
understood a Synonym for democracy, recalling the classic formula of Government
“By the people, For the people.
In this program not only the necessity of establishing the regime on popular
sovereignty but also that of socioeconomic transformation to realize a truly
populist system was declared.
Ataturk accepted it as Utopia of United Nations, which welded together to form
the great family and was designed to sink under the weight of accelerated
modernization and industrialization.
Etatism
Total control of the state over individual citizens.
With very little capital and know-how, and the lack of a successful model of
economic development other than the capitalist West, the Kemalist elite reluctantly
agreed to the functioning of a market economy.
(The activity in a market economy is unplanned; it is not organized by any central
authority but is determined by the supply and demand of goods and services.)
The unsuccessful functioning of the market economy and the impact of the Great
Depression were important factors which led the Kemalist government to search
for methods of central control of the economy during the period 1929-1933. The
principle of etatism was adopted officially in 1931.
Etatism
It was agreed upon that the state was to regulate the general run of economic
activity in areas in which private enterprise was not willing to be involved, or in
which private enterprise had proven to be inadequate, or if national interest
required it.
Through etatism the state acquired the right to interfere with, and to control the
Turkish economy.
The state emerged not only as the principal source of economic activity but also as
the owner of the major industries of the country.
Secularism
The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions.
The fifth arrow was secularism, which was the major pillar of the Kemalist doctrine.
The separation of politics from religion provision was adopted in the Constitution
of 1961, as well as in the Constitution of 1982. The present Constitution declares
that there shall be no interference, whatsoever by scared religious feelings in state
affairs and politics.
The Kemalist Government tried to devise a renovated and turkified Islam that could
help the state to propagate new values. The Turkification of the call to prayer, the
translation of Holy Quran, introduction of instrumental music into mosque and
publication of religious books into Turkish were the steps adopted by the
government.
Modernism
A movement towards modifying traditional beliefs in accordance with modern
ideas.
Kemalism is not an ideology of the status quo, but a radical- liberal ideology
capable of growth with the times.
Its principle of devrimcilik is what gives it the needed flexibility and power of
growth without sacrificing its basic doctrine.
In contemporary Turkey, to some Modernism means protection of Kemalist reforms
and their possible modification along with the exigencies of each new age. To
others it is a continuing commitment to cultural and social revolution aiming at
complete modernization of Turkey.
Conclusion
All the Turkish constitutions has incorporated the six arrows of Alaturka ideology of
Turkey, who was immortal leader and unrivaled hero of the nation.
The constitution affirmed that the internal existence of the Turkish nation and
indivisible unity of turkish State depend upon its ideology.
The Constitution of 1982 also adopted the ideology and incorporated it in
preamble, which was later on amended on 23rd July 1995.
The Preamble declares Turkey is a Republic safeguarding the everlasting existence,
prosperity and material, spiritual well-being of the people.
The main agenda of Kemal Ataturk
Discussion was republicanism. It is advocated
again and again in the reforms. With
principals like Etatism and secularism,
do you believe absolute republicanism
is truly ever achieved?