Kemalism, the founding ideology of modern Turkey, aimed to transform the nation into a secular, Western-oriented republic. Its six core principles—republicanism, nationalism, populism, statism, secularism, and reformism—shaped Turkey's political and social landscape for decades.

The impact of Kemalism was profound, establishing a strong centralized state and promoting modernization. However, it also faced challenges from conservative religious groups and led to tensions between secular and religious-conservative factions that continue to shape Turkish politics today.

Principles and Impact of Kemalism

Core principles of Kemalism

• Six Arrows of Kemalism encapsulate the guiding principles of the Turkish Republic established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
  • Republicanism aimed to establish a republican system of government, replacing the Ottoman monarchy
  • Nationalism sought to promote a unified Turkish national identity and foster a sense of unity among citizens
  • Populism emphasized the will of the people and rejected class privileges, promoting equality
  • Statism involved state intervention in the economy and the development of key industries to drive modernization
  • Secularism mandated the separation of religion and state, relegating religion to the private sphere (French laïcité model)
  • Reformism encouraged continuous adaptation and modernization of Turkish society, inspired by Western models
• Impact on politics
  • Kemalism led to the establishment of a strong, centralized state with a powerful presidency as the central authority
  • Political opposition and dissent were often suppressed in the name of maintaining national unity and stability
  • The military assumed a guardianship role, intervening in politics to protect Kemalist principles and the secular order (coups in 1960, 1971, 1980, and 1997)
• Impact on society
  • Kemalist reforms aimed to modernize education, the legal system, and social norms along Western lines
  • Women's emancipation and gender equality were promoted through legal reforms and increased access to education and employment
  • Western clothing, the Gregorian calendar, and the Latin alphabet were adopted to symbolize a break with the Ottoman past
  • Public expressions of religious identity were limited, with restrictions on religious dress and practices in public institutions

Historical context of Kemalism

• Decline and collapse of the Ottoman Empire
  • The Ottoman Empire suffered military defeats and territorial losses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Balkan Wars, World War I)
  • Nationalist movements emerged among non-Turkish populations seeking independence (Greeks, Armenians, Arabs)
  • The Tanzimat era (1839-1876) saw attempts at modernization and reform, but failed to prevent the empire's decline
• Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923)
  • Following World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led the Nationalist Movement in resisting Allied occupation and partition of Anatolia
  • The Turkish War of Independence resulted in the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923, with Ankara as its capital
• Atatürk's reforms and nation-building project
  • The Caliphate and the Ottoman Sultanate were abolished, marking a clear break with the Ottoman past
  • A new constitution and a parliamentary system were introduced, establishing the foundations of the Turkish Republic
  • The legal system was modernized based on European models, with the adoption of the Swiss Civil Code and the Italian Penal Code
  • Language and script reform replaced the Arabic script with the Latin alphabet, aiming to increase literacy and ties with the West
  • A unified Turkish national identity was promoted, emphasizing shared language, culture, and history

Secularism and Religious Identity

Secular governance in Turkey

• Successes
  • Kemalism established a stable and democratic political system that has endured despite challenges
  • Women's rights and gender equality advanced significantly through legal reforms and increased access to education and employment
  • The modern education system expanded, leading to increased literacy rates and a more educated population
  • Economic modernization and industrialization were pursued, laying the foundations for Turkey's development
• Challenges
  • Conservative religious groups and traditional segments of society resisted Kemalist secularization efforts
  • Polarization between secular and religious-conservative political factions has been a recurring source of tension
  • Limitations on religious freedom and expression have been criticized as authoritarian and repressive
  • The secular state has faced accusations of authoritarian tendencies and the suppression of dissent

Secularism vs religious identity

• Rise of political Islam and the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
  • The AKP, rooted in Islamic political movements, has won successive elections since 2002
  • Under AKP rule, there has been a gradual erosion of Kemalist secular principles and an increased public visibility of Islamic practices and symbols
• Gezi Park protests (2013)
  • Protesters opposed the perceived authoritarian tendencies of the AKP government and defended secular and liberal values
  • The protests reflected concerns over the erosion of public spaces and individual freedoms under the AKP
• Attempted coup and subsequent developments (2016-present)
  • A failed military coup attempt in July 2016 led to a government crackdown on alleged Gülenist infiltration in state institutions
  • The post-coup period has seen increased centralization of power and erosion of democratic checks and balances
  • Ongoing debates over the role of religion in public life and the future of secularism in Turkey continue to shape the political landscape