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Since this is a study abroad trip, I am writing several papers for credit. The first project is based on a very interesting book Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds by Stephen Kinzer, the former Istanbul bureau chief for the New York Times, and consists of answers to four questions.
4. Turkey, much like the United States, is a secular democracy with a large politically active population of religiously faithful people. In Chapter Six entitled “Freedom Rising” Kinzer addresses some of the challenges faced by Turkish society as this tension plays out in contemporary Turkish politics. How is the tension between secularism and religion impacting the development of modern Turkish democracy and society? You may want to compare the strain between secularism and religion in Turkish politics with a similar strain in our own political culture in the United States.
As it usually happens, extremes of one ruling entity are replaced with excesses of the opposite side. Turkey is no exception, along with existing tensions unique to its distinctive history. The hypersecular rule of Kemalism has been supplanted by the Islamic-leaning conservative government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Interestingly enough, AKP has been a major force for liberalization and democratization. Removing discrimination and restrictions that has long placed its conservative constituency in disadvantage, the party has at the same time opened up Turkish society to a greater democracy and inclusiveness in general.
This opening has opened a door for more radical elements within the Turkish society, as an unintended yet logical consequence. Greater democracy allows for greater spectrum of ideologies to be embraced and publicly advocated. This is not unlike the US and other western countries, where dissent is tolerated in the name of democracy and equality. Turkey is just started to test the waters of true tolerance and liberty.
Turkish conservative radicals are advocating greater role of Islam in the civil society and government. Based on the omnipresent role of Islam in both societal and personal life, their demands are uncompromising and oppressive to more moderate Muslims and especially to secular Turks. During the 80 years of secular Kemalist governance, many Turkish citizens embraced the freedom to live free of religious rule. This does not necessarily mean that they are secular, but that they separate their religious identity from public life. They are free to worship as they feel, without state religion and pressure. Now the radical conservatives are attempting to change the balance, by advocating a greater role of Islam in Turkish society and government. This includes preference for conservatives, decreasing rights for women, ban on items forbidden by Islam, such as alcohol, and reverting to the old Turkey, away from western influence and values. The secular Turks bitterly oppose and fear religious encroachment on freedoms that were undisputable, at least until recently. In addition, much of Turkey’s success in economy and business, foreign policy, science, tourism, and international standing is due to tolerance and the ability to work within the framework of liberal, western values. Cooperation with the rest of the world is possible by acceptance of western values and business practices, which in turn supported the spectacular success in recent years. Divergence from the current western orientation could affect Turkey’s ability to continue its progressive economic and business policies and enjoy the success, among many other negative consequences.
Similar tension exists in the US among the evangelical fundamentalists and the rest of the population. The radical right tends to be vocal and active, often outmessaging the complacent middle. They do not accept the idea that under democracy and liberalism, there is a room for everyone’s beliefs, unlike the restrictive rule of radical minority.
Fortunately, the radical message appeals to few, at least in the US. In Turkey, the hope is that the pragmatic, so far tolerant government of AKP under Erdoğan and Gül will continue to maintain personal religious freedom and tolerant internal and foreign policies.
"Abdullah Öcalan." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 11 May 2013. Web.
Kinzer, Stephen. Crescent and Star: Turkey between Two Worlds. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. Print.
"Kurdish People." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 15 May 2013. Web.
"Turkey: First PKK Contingent Withdraws To Iraq." Situational Report. Stratfor Global Intelligence. Stratfor, 14 May 2013. Web.
4. Turkey, much like the United States, is a secular democracy with a large politically active population of religiously faithful people. In Chapter Six entitled “Freedom Rising” Kinzer addresses some of the challenges faced by Turkish society as this tension plays out in contemporary Turkish politics. How is the tension between secularism and religion impacting the development of modern Turkish democracy and society? You may want to compare the strain between secularism and religion in Turkish politics with a similar strain in our own political culture in the United States.
As it usually happens, extremes of one ruling entity are replaced with excesses of the opposite side. Turkey is no exception, along with existing tensions unique to its distinctive history. The hypersecular rule of Kemalism has been supplanted by the Islamic-leaning conservative government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Interestingly enough, AKP has been a major force for liberalization and democratization. Removing discrimination and restrictions that has long placed its conservative constituency in disadvantage, the party has at the same time opened up Turkish society to a greater democracy and inclusiveness in general.
This opening has opened a door for more radical elements within the Turkish society, as an unintended yet logical consequence. Greater democracy allows for greater spectrum of ideologies to be embraced and publicly advocated. This is not unlike the US and other western countries, where dissent is tolerated in the name of democracy and equality. Turkey is just started to test the waters of true tolerance and liberty.
Turkish conservative radicals are advocating greater role of Islam in the civil society and government. Based on the omnipresent role of Islam in both societal and personal life, their demands are uncompromising and oppressive to more moderate Muslims and especially to secular Turks. During the 80 years of secular Kemalist governance, many Turkish citizens embraced the freedom to live free of religious rule. This does not necessarily mean that they are secular, but that they separate their religious identity from public life. They are free to worship as they feel, without state religion and pressure. Now the radical conservatives are attempting to change the balance, by advocating a greater role of Islam in Turkish society and government. This includes preference for conservatives, decreasing rights for women, ban on items forbidden by Islam, such as alcohol, and reverting to the old Turkey, away from western influence and values. The secular Turks bitterly oppose and fear religious encroachment on freedoms that were undisputable, at least until recently. In addition, much of Turkey’s success in economy and business, foreign policy, science, tourism, and international standing is due to tolerance and the ability to work within the framework of liberal, western values. Cooperation with the rest of the world is possible by acceptance of western values and business practices, which in turn supported the spectacular success in recent years. Divergence from the current western orientation could affect Turkey’s ability to continue its progressive economic and business policies and enjoy the success, among many other negative consequences.
Similar tension exists in the US among the evangelical fundamentalists and the rest of the population. The radical right tends to be vocal and active, often outmessaging the complacent middle. They do not accept the idea that under democracy and liberalism, there is a room for everyone’s beliefs, unlike the restrictive rule of radical minority.
Fortunately, the radical message appeals to few, at least in the US. In Turkey, the hope is that the pragmatic, so far tolerant government of AKP under Erdoğan and Gül will continue to maintain personal religious freedom and tolerant internal and foreign policies.
"Abdullah Öcalan." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 11 May 2013. Web.
Kinzer, Stephen. Crescent and Star: Turkey between Two Worlds. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. Print.
"Kurdish People." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 15 May 2013. Web.
"Turkey: First PKK Contingent Withdraws To Iraq." Situational Report. Stratfor Global Intelligence. Stratfor, 14 May 2013. Web.
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