Introduction
Kemalism can also be referred to as either Ataturkism or The Six Arrows. It is Turkey’s founding ideology. It represents the sweep of social, political, religious and cultural reforms that resulted to the consideration of Turkey citizens as equals regardless of religion as they created a national, unitary and secular state from the Ottoman Empire. In essence, this is a political ideology established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father and the president.
Short Summary
Kemalism is a philosophy that focused on modernization in the sense of guiding transition between multi-ethnic Ottoman Empire to the secular, multi-religious and the unitary Republic of Turkey. Under Kemalism, there are boundaries set in the reformation of Turkey socially. Reformation in this case refers to ideological changes shifting from multi-ethnic and multi-religious to nationalistic and secular ways of life in a previously segment that focused on a broader range of Ottoman subjects.
Body
The ideology was based on six fundamental pillars which were Republicanism, Populism, Nationalism, Secularism, Statism and Revolutionism. Reformism and secularism principles were fully accepted and they were followed by being entered into the constitution after the first four on the list. Republicanism under Kemalism framework replaced absolute monarchy that had been adopted by the Ottoman Dynasty with popular sovereignty, rule of law, civic virtue and also an emphasis on liberty to be enjoyed and practiced by citizens.
Populism is a social revolution that aims at transferring political power to the citizens. However, populism under Kemalism differed from the Western understanding. The Western European perceives populism as a political doctrine in which the people are prioritized over the elites in a nation. Kemalist populism shifted political power from what was autocracy, theocracy and feudalism towards the best and most achievable interest of the general public. The Kemalist Modernization movement brought in a revolutionary change on the women status. Women were given among other rights, the right to read the religious texts.
In relation to secularism, the objective of Kemalism was to banish religious interference of government affairs and also prevent the government from nagging religious activities. Under the Ottoman Empire, religious ideology had been in a way that the Ottoman Caliphate and other religious leaders had been involved in the coordination and running of administrative, political and economic system. They operated under the belief that since Islam was the main religion; it would thus be allowed to guide political, social and personal lives. Kemalism strived to improve this and eventually make religion a private and personal affair reducing its involvement in state functions as they created a separation between the state and the mosque.
Nationalism under the Kemalist Revolution sought to create a nation state shifting from the multiethnic and multi-religious Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal stated that the administration and defense of the Turkish nation which include the national awareness, national culture and national unity would be of the highest ideals that would fix their eyes open. In relation to expansionism, the Kemalist revolution opposed imperialism and promoted peace for both international and domestic arenas. Statism on the other hand made it clear through policies and statements that for Turkey to benefit and undergo modernization there was need for technological and economic development. The state would thus control and regulate the entire country’s economic activities.
Conclusion
The legacy of Kemalism indicates that its main idea and objective was to develop Turkey through improve economy, technology and the leadership of the nation. Under what was started by President Kemal, citizens were allocated more power and they were critical considerations on state decision unlike it had previously been under the Ottoman Empire. Some of the basic and important achievements that were achieved include separating religious activities from the government’s functions.
References
Dagi, I. (2012, January 1). Why Turkey Needs a Post-Kemalist Order. Insight Turkey , 52, 854.
Hudec, W. (n.d.). International Security Observer » Can Turkey outgrow its Kemalist legacy and create a liberal democracy?. International Security Observer. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://securityobserver.org/can-turkey-outgrow-its-kemalist-legacy-and-create-a-liberal-democracy/
Mellon, J. (2006). Islamism, Kemalism And The Future Of Turkey. Totalitarian Movements & Political Religions, 7(1), 67-81.
